Susan Hodder Volunteer of Excellence Award

This legacy award was created in honor of Susan Hodder, a long-time Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute volunteer, who began with the Alpine Ski program in the 1980s. Recognized as a "once in a lifetime volunteer" by Courage Kenny, Susan won the Pearl Hall award, the Malcolm Mackey Tree of Life award and an annual award created in her honor, the Susan Hodder Volunteer of Excellence award in 2019. Having lived vibrantly and courageously with pancreatic cancer for nearly 6 years, Susan died peacefully on March 21, 2021 with her family & loyal Golden, Banjo, at her side.

Susan was an outstanding volunteer participating in a number of our adaptive sports and recreation programs and special events, as well as on advisory boards, at fundraising events and as a mentor and trainer for volunteers. Susan demonstrated her passion for the Courage Kenny vision that one day all people will live, work, learn and play in a community based on abilities not disabilities. Each year Courage Kenny volunteers are nominated and one volunteer will be selected to receive this prestigious award.

Criteria

To deserve consideration for this award, the Courage Kenny volunteer nominee must demonstrate exceptional service, compassion, teamwork, and leadership, and share Hodder’s qualities of dedication, flexibility, resourcefulness, commitment to care, teaching/mentoring other volunteers and value lifelong learning and fun.

Eligibility

The nominee must be a Courage Kenny volunteer currently active and serving in good standing in a Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute role. In addition, the volunteer must:

Have served Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute for a minimum of five years or 500 lifetime hours
Not nominate themselves or be nominated by their spouse or family member
Not be nominated by a member of the selection committee
Not receive this award more than once in five years

Past Award Winners

2019 - Susan Hodder, Alpine Ski and Snowboard
2020 - Brad Blanshan, Alpine Ski and Snowboard
2021 - Mark Gray, Alpine Ski and Snowboard
2022- Donna Brandell, Mercy Hospital and CKRI Therapy