Mentor Program Awards

The Chippewa Area Mentor Program and its mentors have been the recipients of the following awards:

Jefferson Award

Carol Gienapp

August 2012

The Jefferson Awards are a prestigious national recognition system honoring community and public service in America. The awards are presented on two levels: national and local. They began in 1972 to create a Nobel Prize for public service. Today, their primary purpose is to serve as a "Call to Action for Volunteers" in local communities.

Carol Gienapp was selected to receive the Jefferson Award for her role in starting the Chippewa Area Mentor Program and her continued involvement in the program, as both a mentor and board member. Our local ABC station, WQOW, selected Carol after she was nominated by Mentor Program staff.

Distinguished Service Award
Outstanding Contributions to School and/or Community
October, 2004

The Association of Wisconsin School Administrators (AWSA) Distinguished Service Award recognizes key figures or organizations that further the goals, programs, and growth of education. The Chippewa Area Mentor Program received this Distinguished Service Award in the category of "Outstanding Contributions to School and/or Community.

State of Wisconsin "Excellence in Mentoring" Award
Community Partner
October 28, 2002

The Excellence in Mentoring award is given yearly to a corporation or community partner who has significantly promoted and supported mentoring in the state of Wisconsin and in their community. Our Saviour's Lutheran Church was the co-winner of this award (along with UW-Milwaukee) because of its outstanding commitment to the mentoring philosophy since 1988. As quoted in the nomination form: "It's as simple as this...the Chippewa Area Mentor Program would not exist without Our Saviour's Lutheran Church. OSLC not only started the program, it has been its chief advocate these past 14 years."

Members of OSLC received this award at the Alliance for Wisconsin Youth Annual Sharing Conference which "celebrates the monumental gifts made by volunteers, mentors, and community service members that benefit Wisconsin youth and communities."

Ageless Heroes
Bernard (Buni) Willi
July, 2001

The Ageless Heroes Senior Achievement Awards Program recognizes and promotes community achievements by Wisconsin senior citizens. Buni Willi received the Eugene I. Lehrmann Award for Intergenerational Advocacy.

First Ladies Excellence in Volunteerism Award
Bernard (Buni) Willi
June, 2000

Recognized by the Alliance for Wisconsin Youth (organization which helps communities develop ways to involve youth in community service and other activities that help youth learn and grow) Buni Willi received this award as an outstanding example of the powerful impact of volunteering.

Community Service Award
Chippewa County council on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse
October, 1999

The Chippewa Area Mentor Program received the Community Service Award for its "outstanding work toward the mission of the CCAODA."

Wisconsin Association for Middle Level Education
Caring for Kids Award
April, 1996

The "Caring for Kids" award is giving by WAMLE for recognition of an individual or group who has demonstrated uniqueness in caring for kids.