Southern Illinois News

A local woman is being honored at the state level for her selfless dedication to serving the community despite the fact that she's confined to a wheelchair to get around. 

State Rep. David Friess (R-Red Bud) celebrated Violette Nast who recently won the Governor's Volunteer Service Award in the senior category.

"It is with great pleasure that we congratulate Violette Nast on her exceptional accomplishment," Friess said in a Sept. 19 press release. "Violette was our nominee for the Governors Volunteer Service Award 2022. We are grateful for her continued work in our community. Volunteers like her make a bigger impact than any of us realize, so I'm honored for the opportunity to recognize her today."

Nast was chosen from more than 60 other nominees based on her work in Monroe County with Hospice, Monroe-Randolph County Transit, and St. Paul United Church of Christ in Columbia. She is confined to a wheelchair but doesn't let it stop her from helping others. According to the press release she's dedicated her life to giving back in any way that she can. She recently helped bake 175 pies for the mission fund at St. Paul's United Church of Christ. 

Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service had sought nominations of three individuals in three age groups to receive the Governor's Volunteer Service Awards. The awards looked to recognize those who know the importance of volunteering and community service across the state, in each of the commission's five service areas. The three age groups were four youth ages 18 and under, adults ages 19-54, and retirees/seniors ages 55 and up. 

Illinois Department of Human Services Secretary Michelle R. B. Saddler noted the awards allow for the commission to thank those Illinoisans who work to make "a positive change in our communities."