Frankfort Woman Named Volunteer Of The Year By Forest Preserve

FRANKFORT, IL — Kim Shehorn of Frankfort has been named the Volunteer of the Year for her many contributions to the Forest Preserve District of Will County in 2022, according to a news release.

The award was presented during the Forest Preserve District’s annual volunteer banquet on April 12 at Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville. The banquet celebrated 39 years of the District’s formal volunteer program and the many volunteers who surpassed their assignments in 2022, the preserve said.

“The District could not continue to work towards its mission without volunteers,” said Emily Kenny, the Forest Preserve’s volunteer supervisor. “Their smiles, kindness and positivity are contagious. And it is evident that they enjoy spending time with the Forest Preserve.”

Forest Preserve Board President Meta Mueller thanked the volunteers for contributing almost 12,000 hours of their time and talent in 2022, which equates to more than $350,000 in value.

“Tonight’s banquet and recognition event is a small token of appreciation for the love, passion, dedication and selflessness that you’ve shown us over the past year,” Mueller said.

Ralph Schultz, the Forest Preserve’s executive director, presented the top award of the night to Shehorn.

“She not only has helped with public programs but also volunteers with the conservation department,” Schultz said in a release. “One day, she volunteered for an evening of owl hikes after a Habitat Management morning. To top it off, the high was 16 degrees with crazy tundra winds, but she still showed up with a smile on her face, ready to do whatever needed to be done.”

Shehorn is capable, efficient and friendly, he added.

“Not only does she have great enthusiasm and engagement, she is also an encourager,” Schultz said in a news release. “She attends programs as a participant and is genuinely excited to be there. Best of all, she is such a dependable volunteer. Staff and participants are in good hands when she is there.”

Shehorn said she was honored to be named Volunteer of the Year.

After leaving a museum education job, she took a position in "corporate America," so Shehorn said volunteering for the Forest Preserve is her way of regaining a "sense of community" and also it is an extension of her hobbies of gardening and hiking, according to the preserve.

"But what I found, and what has kept me very involved with the [Forest Preserve], is just an amazing group of people who make you want to be even more involved," she said in a release. " ... Some of my closest friends are people that I've met volunteering in the preserves – they've changed my life for the better."

Shehorn added that she has learned so much from the veteran volunteers who have more than 30 years experience.

"I want to be able to make a difference as well as to continue their work," she added. "Maybe by interacting with me at a program, I can inspire a family to become more physically active or maybe I can help a child to discover their love of nature and they, too, can make a difference."