 Many organizations in Brainerd seek help from volunteers on a regular basis. The senior citizens in the community have been filling up many of those volunteer spots. Today two outstanding senior volunteers were recognized. Sarah Winckelman has their story. Today the executive director of the center recognized one male and one female for this year's Crow Wing County Outstanding Senior Volunteer Award. The center hosted a picnic at Lum Park where the seniors first enjoyed a meal and afterward the recognition of those who went above and beyond in their volunteer work. Both of the winners today were asked to come help out of the picnic by their coordinators. Little did they know that they would be walking away with a plaque. I'm excited. I am. I'm thrilled. And I was thinking to myself oh my goodness my family should be here and I turned around and there they were. So this was all planned behind my back. The award recipients did not know before the announcement they had won however those who nominated them did and were able to watch the reaction of their nominees. Total deserving of course she is you know so I'm really happy because it's nice to be able to give it to somebody who does do so much for the whole community not just for one organization but for the whole community into a lot of different organizations and stuff so she's very well deserving and I'm very very happy for her. Carol isn't the only one who volunteers at multiple organizations throughout the community. He is so deserving and I'm so glad he's getting the recognition that he deserves because he helps at the curling center he helps in breath of life he helps with pickleball and tennis and at the school district so he really covers a lot of ground I think he works more hours as a volunteer as he did when he was working. So why put in so many volunteer hours? For Jim the answer is simple it's all about the people. I worked with the public my whole life so when I retired I missed it. Both Jim and Carol will now go on to compete at the Minnesota State Fair for the 2017 Minnesota Outstanding Senior Citizen Award reporting in Brainerd Sarah Winkleman Lakeland News. You can also see winners being recognized at the Distinguished Service Awards banquet and the Crowan County Fair. If you've enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News please consider making a tax deductible contribution to Lakeland Public Television.