Congratulations to Veryl Buchholz, long-time member of Grace Lutheran Church, on receiving a Governor’s Volunteer Award from Governor Kim Reynolds during a ceremony on June 25, 2024. Veryl has volunteered at UnityPoint Allen Hospital in Waterloo for 17½ years.

Veryl retired from his full-time job at the end of 2006 and began volunteering at Allen Hospital at the beginning of 2007. Veryl’s wife Marlene, who passed away a couple years ago, had been volunteering at Allen before Veryl retired, and the volunteer coordinator at Allen suggested to Marlene that she should bring Veryl along to also help at the hospital. Veryl has been volunteering at Allen ever since.

Veryl volunteers for a 4-hour session at Allen on Wednesday afternoons and another 4-hour period on Friday mornings each week. His tasks vary, from transporting patients in wheelchairs from one area of the hospital to another, to escorting visitors who may be lost to get them to the areas they need. He also delivers flowers or mail to patient rooms, and helps patients in wheelchairs who are being discharged from the hospital or are going to one of the doctor offices on the other side of the hospital. Given the variety of his duties, he has come to know the layout of the hospital very well.

“I find it very rewarding to help people in this way. It also helps get me out among the public, and I can see and visit with many different people. Over the years, I’ve gotten to know quite a few different individuals who I may visit with,” Veryl explained.

According to Gov. Reynolds, “Those being recognized are the people who invest in others without expecting anything in return except, of course, for the fulfillment that comes from doing their part to give back to their community. This collective impact is nothing short of remarkable.”

More than 400 volunteer awards are being presented in 2024. It is estimated that over 85 communities in Iowa were served by this year’s honorees.