Healthy Beginnings honors Volunteer of Year

Healthy Beginnings honored one of their volunteers naming Joan Alles Healthy Beginnings Volunteer of the Year.

The presentation took place at the program’s annual Volunteer Appreciation social held Wednesday at Umpqua Bank on Century Drive.

“We are pleased to honor a very specialindividual who continually demonstrates their dedication to the children of Central Oregon,” remarked Holly Remer, executive director of Healthy Beginnings, a “21 Cares for Kids” partner.

Joan provides essential hearing screening services in nearly all communities throughout Central Oregon.

At any one of our 18 community screening clinics, a child and parent will find Joan offering valuable and relevant parent education and information, helping parents define and understand realistic goals while providing suggestions, helping to ensure that more children get a healthy start.

“The program is blessed to have such a great number of wonderful volunteers. Joan epitomizes the dedication and commitment that is reflected throughout our volunteer corps,” praised Shelley Irwin, HB screening and volunteer coordinator.

Healthy Beginnings relies on volunteers to facilitate all aspects of the program. Volunteers with all levels of experience are welcome. The program provides 18 free community health and developmental screenings for children, birth through age 5 in Central Oregon.

It has an extensive, award-winning volunteer program and provides training for those interested.

Healthy Beginnings is a non-profit organization supported by over 400 volunteers and is sponsored by a wide variety of generous groups in Central Oregon including the United Way of Deschutes County.Healthy Beginningsis one of many programs offered through theHigh DesertEducation Service District.

For more information, contact the Volunteer Coordinator, Shelley Irwin at 541-383-6357 or visit the program’s website at www.myhb.org.