The below volunteers were nominated by Multnomah County program and departmental staff for exceptional volunteer service for the years 2023-2025, and will be honored on September 30th, 2025 in a Multnomah County Board of County Commissioners Meeting. Volunteers were nominated either as an individual volunteer or as part of a volunteer team.
Department of County Human Services
Individual volunteers
Sophie Alweis- DCHS/YFS/DSVCO/Gateway Center
Sophie Alweis volunteers with Gateway as a navigator for the last 14 years. She is always reliable, kind, knowledgeable, attentive and helped thousands of our participants. Sophie also uses her Spanish language skills and it ensures that we always have Spanish-speaking advocates to assist Spanish-speaking survivors. Her volunteering with us is tremendous help to us as well as to survivors that we serve.
Cindy Barrett- DCHS/ADVSD Community Services/SHIBA
Cindy has been relentless in her role as a SHIBA volunteer advocating for Medicare beneficiaries who are trying to get services covered by their insurance company. She continuously helps people appeal and has succeeded in some cases in convincing them to reverse the denials. Cindy goes above and beyond in her perseverance as a SHIBA counselor to help Medicare beneficiaries access the healthcare they need.
Paige Chandler- DCHS/YFS/DSVCO/Gateway Center
Paige volunteers with the Gateway Center for the last seven years. She takes phone shifts for the Gateway Center. She is extremely reliable and attentive to survivors needs. We deeply appreciate her enourmous contribution.
Judi Kloper- DCHS/YFS/Bienestar de la Familia
Judi has been a consistent, reliable, and deeply caring presence in our work to support families facing poverty, food insecurity, and systemic barriers. For years, she has shown up without missing a day to help serve immigrant and refugee families, the Somali and Latino communities, and many others across Multnomah County who turn to Bienestar de la Familia for support. Judi never hesitates to say yes when asked to help, and she doesn’t wait to be asked either. She looks for where she’s needed most and steps in. Whether it’s coordinating donated bicycles for children whose families can’t afford them, supporting community education efforts for women in Cully, or helping clients navigate resources, Judi brings a quiet consistency that means the world to the people we serve. She shows up rain or shine and has done so for decades. The community knows her, trusts her, and values her presence. Her impact doesn’t come from one grand act, it comes from thousands of small ones carried out with care, humility, and commitment. Judi’s volunteer service is not only generous, it is also transformative. We are proud to recognize her deep contribution to the wellbeing of our community and nominate her for this award.
Mark Meininger - DCHS/ DO/ Emergency Management
During severe weather events, Mark takes on the Person-in-Charge lead role to support everyone in an emergency shelter. He does everything he can to make sure community members in need and our caring shelter staff, stay safe. After these events, he shares thoughtful insights, from multiple perspectives. Mark is always kind, calm and committed!
Jewel Mone- DCHS, ADVSD, Director's Office
During her volunteering, Jewel created meaningful engagement strategies for our advisory councils. She is an expert in community engagement, and shared her expertise with us by creating a multi-pronged engagement action plan, a color-coding system to easily communicate input expectations, and a detailed advisory council facilitator guidebook. Her hard work and dedication will make a positive impact on our work with ASAC and DSAC, and be felt for a long time.
Department of County Assets & Management
Individual volunteers
Deb Provo- Emergency Management
As volunteer president of the Multnomah County Amateur Radio Emergency Services (a.k.a. MC ARES), Deb puts in well over 100 hours per year organizing 80-100 other volunteers. This position requires expert technical skills in Ham Radio, organizing several in person field exercises/events annually in addition to monthly meetings attended by 30-50 members. Her clear and thoughtful communication skills and problem solving make her a very valued volunteer in a position to save lives and help residents across the County when emergencies arise that compromise other forms of communication. Deb always finds time answer inquiries in a timely fashion with a cheerful demeanor and she shows no sign of slowing down (thank goodness!).
Todd Templeton - DCM /Purchase/ Labor Compliance Program
Todd Templeton has been a dedicated volunteer with the County's Labor Compliance Program for over two and a half years. Todd consistently demonstrates professionalism during his site visits. He always takes the initiative to check in with the construction supervisor to explain the purpose of his visit before speaking with workers on County construction projects. Todd consistently exceeds the minimum two site visits per year due to his passion for providing education when interviewing workers to ensure prevailing wages is indeed being paid on County projects.
Health Department
Individual volunteers
Margaret Breithaupt - Public Health, Harm Reduction Program
Margaret has been with our program a long time volunteering. At point, she was the only volunteer our program had when COVID-19 was really hitting the U.S. and there was a lot of uncertainty around how it was transmitted. Margaret has one of the warmest and fullest hearts of anybody I know, colleague or not. I have seen Margaret take time for EVERY single client that shows up for our services. Naturally, this can be very difficult as she is witnessing incredibly traumatic events in people's lives. Despite everything though, Margaret keeps showing up. She is a staple for the people who access our services, as well as other staff. The world is a little bit brighter with Margaret volunteering at the harm reduction program.
Carlos Dory - Public Health, HIV Grant Administration and Planning
Carlos Dory is a superstar who has long served the HIV Services Planning Council. He has served on our Operations Committee, BIPOC Data Review Committee, on the Quality Improvement Team, and supported focus groups, including outreach for our BIPOC-focused sessions. He regularly visits local service providers to connect with clients about their experiences, and brings thoughtful integration of real-life experiences and novel ideas to the planning work in our community. His commitment to service to the community is unmatched and the HIV Grants Administration Program of the County is so very grateful to have Carlos at the table.
Greg Fowler -Public Health, HIV Grant Administration and Planning
Greg Fowler has been a long-term volunteer with the HIV Services Planning Council, serving in a range of leadership roles. Most recently, he’s been on the leadership team and the Chair of the Evaluation Committee, helping to ensure that the funding is getting out to providers and communities who are most impacted. Greg always finds time to provide feedback and support to the County and his peers. Wherever he is, he makes a dedicated effort to join monthly planning meetings even if it means being up very early when he is traveling halfway across the world. Greg has a great eye for detail and simplicity, and intentionally volunteers for tasks that not every volunteer would be up for and supports fellow volunteers through tough decision-making with focus and kindness.
Jamal Muhammad - Public Health, HIV Grant Administration & Planning
Jamal Muhammad is a volunteer extraordinaire. He has been part of the HIV Services Planning Council leadership team soon after joining the Council 4 years ago, brings experience from his years in the health care field and in another jurisdiction, and also serves unofficially as a welcoming face to new folks in our community. In addition to regularly volunteering with the Planning Council, he serves as an oversight volunteer for a local agency that provides support and care to people who are among the most impacted in our community. Jamal is kind and considerate and shows the best of leadership skills in his volunteer work.
Non-Departmental Offices
Individual volunteers
Richard Barker - Office of Community Involvement, CIC
Richard served on the CIC from 2019-2024, seeing the committee through many transitions and changes. In that time he served on multiple subcommittees and served as a leader and mentor for both fellow volunteers and incoming staff.
Jen Mair - Office of Community Involvement, CIC and CBAC
Jen is actively involved in two advisory committees: the CIC and Non-D CBAC. In both these committees Jen has volunteered for leadership roles, co-chairing and chairing committees and subcommittees, and has been a strong leader with an inclusive, collaborative style. Jen empowers other members' voices and has supported much engagement and involvement with Multnomah County.
Brian Outlaw - Office of Community Involvement, CIC
Brian O has completed a 3 year term on the CIC, twice serving as CIC Co-Chair in addition to serving on several subcommittees. He has supported other volunteers and staff with his excellent facilitation skills, kindness, and good humor. His work on the CIC has improved the program itself as well as contributed to improvements in county community engagement practices.
Lung Wah Lazum - Office of Community Involvement, CIC
Lung Wah has completed 3 years on the CIC, in that time he has served on multiple subcommittees and brought such a positive, collaborative attitude to the rest of the group. The CIC has greatly benefited from his participation and support of others' participation. Lung Wah's contributions to the CIC have been invaluable!
Advisory Committee on Sustainability and Innovation Co-Chairs
Amanda Zuniga and Jonna Davis
For the past few years Amanda and Jonna have served as co-chairs of the Advisory Committee for Sustainability and Innovation. In that role they have served many hours chairing committee meetings, attending sub-committee meetings, and helping to craft recommendations for the Board of County Commissioners. Their invaluable service is helping to advance climate and environmental justice in Multnomah County.
Department of Community Services
Individual volunteers
Dave Bechtel - Animal Services
Dave is an all-around rockstar volunteer and has learned all aspects of the shelter to be able to jump in wherever is needed!
Julie Costanzo - Animal Services
Julie spends several days a week volunteering at the Multnomah County Animal Shelter, devoting multiple hours to dog walking and enriching the lives of dogs who are awaiting their forever homes. Julie is a calming presence to the dogs in a often chaotic and stressful environment.
Jim Gibson - Animal Services
Jim is always willing to help out at Animal Services, even on short notice!
Yari Hernandez - Animal Services
Yari has hit the ground running volunteering with Animal Servcies, and has been able to help so many at our adoptions desk!
Carol Hoeth - Animal Services
Carol always brings amazing energy and commitment to the shelter.
Holly Jank - Animal Services
Holly is a calming and joyful presence and always greets customers with a smile!
Raymond Kolberg - Animal Services
Raymond is an invaluable volunteer and an amazing matchmaker for all our animals.
Ronnie Meyers - Animal Services
Ronnie has brought exceptional customer services skills to his volunteer work.
Roxanne Nygard - Animal Services
Roxanne is a teacher, dog walker, and foster - a jack of all trades in volunteering, and extremely helpful!
Andrew Szatkowski - Animal Services
Andrew has been an incredible support, especially bringing great knowledge of other local shelters.
Amanda Theod - Animal Services
Amanda has been invaluable - training many dog walkers to keep our pups cared for!
Brandy Trotter - Animal Services
Brandy's medical expertise has been so helpful with our shelter and her fosters.
Polly Wheeler - Animal Services
Polly is always willing to help our continued training of dog walkers!
Nancy Yuill - Animal Services
Nancy brings years of volunteer coordination experience that is greatly appreciated!
Diane Zhitlovsky - Animal Services
Diane is eager to learn anything and everything just to help where they can in the shelter.
DCS Community Budget Advisory Committee
Jim Abeles, Yume Delegato, James Ellis, Terry Harris, Conrad Hulen, Peter Finley-Fry, Taylor Scott
In every thriving community, there are individuals who work behind the scenes to ensure equity, safety, and harmony. The DCS Community Budget Advisory Committee (CBAC) exemplifies this commitment, forming priorities and recommendations that balance the needs of people, animals, and the environment of Multnomah County. This dedicated seven-member team lends its time, expertise and curiosity to critical areas of Transportation, Elections, Land Use Planning, and Animal Services—ensuring that decisions reflect thoughtful stewardship and a commitment to upholding transparent governance and inclusive decision-making. Their thoughtful contributions help foster safety for both people and pets, support accessible infrastructure, and reinforce the principle that every voice matters. For their unwavering service and passion for progress, we proudly nominate the DCS Community Budget Advisory Committee for recognition. Their work deserves to be uplifted, celebrated, and honored—because a strong community is built on the wisdom and dedication of those who give selflessly to see it thrive.
Multnomah County Animal Services Community Advisory Committee
Andrew Beckman, Leah Bookner, Gray Bouchat, Margaret Clement, Denise Holmes, Laura Lambruschi, Tara Martin, Natalie Mesa-Smith, Sharon Methvin, April Milan, Kelly Peterson, Nancy Yull
This group of dedicated community members applied for the brand new MCAS community advisory committee and braved the first year of a brand new way to engage with Animal Services. Despite the uncertainty and a history of challenging relationships with past MCAS CACs, these members showed up to every meeting to build new and trusting relationships with animal services and the County. They defined values important to the work, developed a work plan for future MCAS CACs, developed bylaws and a membership agreement, and they did all of it selflessly because this work will be the foundation for future terms of the CAC. They showed up in pouring rain and cold dark Portland evenings as well as warm and sunny evenings and we are so grateful for their time in input.
The Bicycle and Pedestrian Community Advisory Committee
Dean Derek, Art Graves, Andrew Holtz, Megan Moser, Greg Olson, Michael Rubenstein, John Russell, Valerie Schiller, Bob Thomas, AJ Zelada
The BPCAC meets monthly to give feedback on the County's transportation projects. This includes our urban and rural roads, and the Willamette River bridges. This group of reliable volunteer members have spent considerable time learning the complexities involved in our transportation systems in order to provide valuable input on our projects. We appreciate their knowledge and dedication to the County!
Department of Community Justice
Individual volunteers
Rob Farris - Donald E Long, Youth Detention Division / Restorative Justice - Hands of Wonder Program
Rob is an exceptional volunteer. In a position where reliability and trust matter most, Rob is steadfast with his support of our youth living in detention. He models appropriate behavior, boundaries and guides youth through fun and interactive role playing (Dungeons and Dragons) that teaches collaboration, critical thinking, communication and allows kids to become super heroes. Rob has brightened the lives of our youth for over a year by bringing a creative outlet to detention. He is 100% consistent and reliable; traits our youth desperately need to see modeled. Youth who have participated in Rob's group rate it as the best volunteer opportunity they've been offered here (and it isn't even close). Rob advocates for the youth and is willing to work with even the toughest of them. Rob's generous gift of his time, patience, understanding, adaptability, and overall awesomeness is appreciated by our youth and staff alike.
Thomas Karwaki - DCJ Community Budget Advisory Committee
Tom is just finishing his first 3-year term as DCJ's CBAC and has spent the last two years co-chairing, as well as having some involvement in the Central CBAC. Tom has been a stellar volunteer that has not only brought to the table a wealth of information, he has served in some ways as a mentor to new members gaining their footing. Tom has also presented on behalf of CBAC in our budget presentations with the Board of County Commissioners. Tom has shown his passion and dedication to DCJ's mission and work and at the end of our meetings always asks, "What can I do to support DCJ".
Bryce Magorian - DCJ Community Budget Advisory Committee
Bryce is finishing his 3-year term as a member of DCJ's CBAC. Bryce has been a stellar an invaluable member of this community. When anything was needed, such as drafting the budget letter to the Chair, he stepped up and used his amazing and beautiful writing skills to craft an excellent report. Bryce is a breath of fresh air and speaks with intentionality and care.
Emily Volpert - Juvenile Services
Emily is an outstanding volunteer, serving in the Hands of Wonder Restorative Justice program for the Department of Community Justices' Juvenile Services Division. She is reliable, creative, professional and a tremendous asset to this impactful program.
Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU) Interprofessional Care Access Network (I-CAN), Department of Community Justice
Jordan Ferris and Joseph Gundlach
The OHSU Nurses have been instrumental in supporting participants of the Stabilization and Readiness Program at the Mead Building in Downtown Portland. They show up day after day with amazing attitudes, innovative ideas and a sincere desire to improve the lives of SARP participants. They are world class in their work ethic, compassion and care for vulnerable community members.
Multnomah County Library
Individual volunteers
Amanda Heaslip- Branch Assistant, Troutdale Library
Amanda is a Branch Assistant at Troutdale Library. She is excited to learn new processes and is curious about all aspects of the library. She is a quick learner and an amazing addition to the Troutdale team.
Denny Hyde- Tech Help, Central and Hollywood Libraries
Denny is such a dedicated Tech Help volunteer. He is very patient with our patrons, who are always waiting for him on Sundays for his help with every kind of device. On the rare occasions he can't be here, all we hear is "Where's Denny?" We always offer to help, but alas, we are not Denny. He makes all our lives so much easier!
Claire Indermaur - Archive Assistant, Central Library
Claire is a stellar volunteer who gives the archives so much of their time and prodigious talents. They reliably work four hours a week, nearly every single week, on organizing the various collections of poets' papers that have built up in the John Wilson Special Collections over the years. They turn chaos into order with a smile and so much skill.
Allan Karsk- Branch Assistant, Hollywood Library
Allan is a many-year HWD volunteer who comes in two mornings each week (when he is not traveling the world in his retirement) to pick holds and check in holds. He is endlessly cheerful and needs no direction -- he dives right in and knows where everything goes.
Madison Riethman- Community Budget Advisory Committee
Madison contributed above and beyond to the library and the county's CBAC efforts in 2024 and 2025, as the Chair of the library's own CBAC and as an integral member of the county's CBAC improvement workgroup effort. She has dedicated her time and talents to supporting real and positive change in our community budget involvement process!
Ashley Tran- Summer Reading Program Assistant, Gresham Library
Ashley is a superstar volunteer who we can always count on to help with our holds pick list on Sundays AND staffing our Summer Reading table on Thursdays! Two volunteer shifts a week is a lot but they are always ready to help!
Makerspace Volunteers
Kelly Rasmussen and Wade Rasmussen
Wade and Kelly have been our most reliable and most knowledgeable volunteers. Their value is so great that we are able to hold Makerspace with minimal staff on the days that they are volunteering knowing that our patrons will still get the support that they need. They are more knowledgeable about some of our software than any of the regular staff. Kelly has volunteered since 2019 and contributed 740 hours. Wade has been volunteering since 2022 and contributed over 630 hours. They are invaluable to our Makerspace team.
Tech Help Volunteers at Northwest Library
Chloe Coward & Hayden Hutsell
Chloe and Hayden and exceptional Tech Help volunteers! They are knowledgeable, thoughtful, and the patrons and staff at Northwest Library really appreciate their support! They have both stayed late multiple times to finish helping patrons with tech issues. Thank you Chloe and Hayden!
Tech Help Volunteers at Kenton and North Portland Libraries
Makish Asemota, Eric Putnam and David Wood
These volunteers have tirelessly provided essential tech assistance to our community and patrons, particularly during the closure of the Kenton branch and the reopening of the North Portland branch. They have patiently and diligently addressed all inquiries, big or small, fostering a strong sense of community and belonging for both new and returning patrons. Their commitment to their duties has been exemplary and has made our library system incredibly proud.
North Portland Storytime Volunteers, Library
Myrna Andrade-Booker and Lin Tran
Lin and Myrna consistently show up every week with a positive attitude, always ready to engage with the children and interact with parents. They are truly a joy to work with and always willing to lend a hand wherever needed. Beyond storytime, they have also taken the initiative to assist with other North Portland programming. I consistently hear positive feedback about them from substitute staff and other colleagues. Storytime simply wouldn't be the same without their dedication and support.
Virtual Youth Tutoring
Sana Assaf, Mark Becke, Ayasha Benninghoven, Rose Brady, Emma Connor, James (Jamie) Donegan, John Ennis, Boz Eppley, Jim Haberman, Allie Helein, Paige Hoffert, George Hunt-Wiggins, Heather Jarrow, Thulni Liyanaarachchi, Leilanni Lopez-Flores, Jacqueline Martinez De Jesus, Aki Murata, Steven Peeler, Rosy Quinn, Jacqueline Viteznik,Clarke Weigel, Mindy Wu
The tutors in the library's K-12 Virtual Tutoring program help students with math, language arts, science and social studies assignments. This spring they worked weekly with 52 students, many of whom are English language learners or attend schools serving marginalized communities. Our tutors are so committed--often searching for extra resources for their sessions and building strong connections with the students and families. We often hear from families about the meaningful progress being made with our tutors' help.