Cheers for volunteers

In, 1971, Sally Porcorelli was looking for snow for her five budding ski racers. She headed for Whitefish from Michigan and upon arrival in June, in the middle of a snow storm, she knew she had found her home.

Sally "landed running" and has never slowed down. While working 28 years in administration at North Valley Hospital, she found time to do things like run 26-mile marathons, be a 'ski racer mom," and volunteer as kids instructor for the Big Mountain Ski Club, She was the first woman over-50 to win the Idaho State Triathlon.

Sally brings this same enthusiasm to her efforts in helping others. Although always busy with something, her primary focus is on activities of the Whitefish Soroptimist Club, where she has served as secretary for 25 years.

She regularly runs in the Soroptomist-sponsored Race for the Cure, raising money to fight breast cancer, and takes an active part in Relay for Life and March of Dimes. She volunteers at least 40 hours per month at the Soroptomist Thrift Haus, where she is known as "our best salesperson" and one who "cheerfully does whatever needs to be done" to help the Soroptomists meet their goals of community service.

Sally volunteers because she "likes to do her part" and gets satisfaction in knowing she "has given something back" by helping others. Sally, you are representative of the spirit of our community, and we thank you.

This column is dedicated to those who give freely of their time and energy to worthwhile community projects, but whose efforts often go unnoticed. If you know such a person, please e-mail jheckathorn@centurytel.net.