Family, friends honor contributions of Vergas resident

By Robert Williams

Editor

Former Vergas Community Club President and current Treasurer Sherri Hanson was surrounded by her family after being recognized for her volunteer contributions in a special presentation during Volunteer Appreciation Night, hosted by the Vergas Community Club on Wednesday, April 30 at the Event Center.

Hanson was presented a copper piece created by Patrick Shannon, the last piece he made, prior to passing away Sunday, April 13. 

Patrick’s life partner Helena Johnson described Shannon’s final piece during Wednesday night’s ceremony.

“This sculpture combines copper, stainless steel and rusted steel, along with cast aluminum  plaques,” she said. “The arms reaching up with the copper heart, symbolize our volunteers and the copper in the middle area is the international symbol for volunteerism.”

Hanson has been active in the Vergas community for decades making Vergas a great place to visit, live, do business and work. 

“I am truly humbled that the VCC honored me, but am quick to point out and I will never forget that it is not just me, it is many people working together that make this village of Vergas what it is,” said Hanson. “That is why the sculpture is so cool, all the many hands, working in many ways, all together.”

Hanson also spoke about the surprise visit of her immediate family Wednesday night.

“It was such a blessing to have all my children and some grandchildren come to share in the honor, and I do say share,” she said. “When you commit a lot of time, over many years, to your community, your family either gets on board and helps or it goes the other way. It is such a blessing to know that all of my sons saw the importance of giving back and have that volunteer spirit within them, and carry it out in so many, many ways.”

Hanson and Shannon were also able to share “family” moments and discuss both the history and future of Vergas recently.

“I had the gift of visiting with Patrick a couple of months before he passed,” Hanson said. “He talked about how he was dying and was very candid about it. Our conversation went to the community and all the organizations and projects we had worked on together. It gave us time to talk about some of the things he would like to see for the community, after he was gone. We reminisced of the people before us…Gordon Dahlgren, Rodger Hanson, Rodney Hanson, Ron Goodman…and many others. Although it was unsaid, you could tell we were both always wondering what drives us to volunteer.”

Hanson answered Shannon simply, “I consider it an honor to carry on the vision of these people who worked hard to make Vergas such a great community. And also consider it an obligation to work to see that happen, and hopefully to inspire others. I said ‘Patrick…the least we can hope for is that some day, 30 years from now, there are two community volunteers visiting about projects, and the names Patrick Shannon and Sherri Hanson come up.’”

The many events and projects in Vergas cannot be done without the help of volunteers and, as a whole, they were honored and thanked during Wednesday’s gathering that included food, beverages, socializing, live music and door prizes.