Joe Henmueller and Carol Duet received special recognition at the second annual norVOLution Volunteer Appreciation Picnic.
NorVOLution is Norwood Life Society’s volunteer program. Henmueller, a resident of Chicago’s Oriole Park neighborhood, received the 2016 Lifetime Achievement Service Award. Duet, a resident of Norwood Crossing for the past five years, was presented with the 2016 Betty Ohlgren Volunteer of the Year Award.
The more than 100 volunteers who attended the picnic at Norwood Crossing heard norVOLution Director Kate Roche describe the importance of volunteering.
“It requires compassion and love of others,” she said. “The late Muhammad Ali said that ‘Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.’ And, the service that each of you renders on a regular basis to Norwood Life Society, Norwood Crossing, Norwood Seniors Network and Norwood Park Senior Center is one of immense value. And for this, I thank you for your contribution to helping better the lives of those we serve together.”
Henmueller welcomed the arrival of the 21st century in 2001 by volunteering as a home delivered meals driver at Norwood Seniors Network – a commitment that has now surpassed 16 years and about 8,000 home delivered meals. His reward and satisfaction comes from seeing the happiness on the faces of seniors when their meal arrives.
“I get more out of the meal delivery than I put in,” Henmueller said. “I feel that a smile and ‘have a nice day’ probably are more meaningful to them since most of the people rarely see anyone else that day.”
A veteran of the Korean War who spent 16 months as a helicopter crew chief, Henmueller knows how to handle emergencies. In 2012, his instincts played a role in saving the life of a meal delivery recipient. When Henmueller arrived to deliver a meal at a home in nearby Niles, he sensed there was something wrong when normal routines had not been completed. He called NSN, which in-turn called the recipient’s daughter who called the Niles Fire Department.
Emergency responders found the lady on the floor, learning later that she laid there for 12 hours, and transported her to a hospital where she recovered and returned home. She was thankful that someone was there when assistance was needed.
Henmueller and his wife, Grace, who volunteers in the Norwood Life Society Thrift Shop, were married in 1955 shortly after he completed his military service. They have seven children, 17 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
As a new resident of Norwood Crossing, Duet was eager to get involved.
“There are so many activities to do, and I could help with many of them,” she said. “I’m a member of the Porch Group that helped start a monthly resident newsletter. We’re now on our 52nd edition. In addition to bowling, I volunteer at pokeno, bingo, horse racing, and I help in our business office every Monday with 102-year old Helen Strandberg. I like the interaction with my fellow residents, and I enjoy helping out.”
Duet recalled one of her early encounters with other volunteers.
“When I first came [to Norwood Crossing], I was introduced to Mary Cormack in the gift shop,” she said. Cormack, who also is a resident, was very involved and encouraged Duet to do the same.
“I looked at all the activities and right away I started bowling and loved it,” Duet added. “Our late volunteer, Ken Bjork, and Wayne Zischke asked me if I wanted to help out. I’ve been keeping score, and keeping [volunteers] Wayne and George Weiss on track ever since. We started with nine bowlers, and now we get almost 25 every Thursday morning.”
One of four children, Duet was born in New Orleans and moved with her family to Chicago at the age of 2. Before retiring, she worked as a clerical trainer at Underwriters Laboratory for 39 years.
Last year, more than 400 volunteers provided nearly 21,500 hours and participated in 25 separate activities. Those interested in volunteering can contact Kate Roche at 773-577-5329.
Norwood Life Society is a nonprofit organization in Chicago and sponsor of Norwood Crossing, Norwood Seniors Network and Norwood Park Senior Center.