Dean White is the recipient of the 2002 Volunteer of the Year award from the city of Austin.

White was honored Thursday evening

at a volunteer appreciation banquet at Ruby Rupner Auditorium at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center.

The award recipient said of the honor, "Thanks to all."

Humility is one of the traits that has endeared White to the Austin – Mower County Law Enforcement Reserve Unit for 33 years.

Austin Police Sgt. Jim Erickson told the audience of over 100 people, "Dean will call me and ask if he should go on vacation or if he will be needed here."

"In his 33 years with the reserve unit, he has never tested for rank," Erickson said, adding the unit bestowed the rank of "corporal" upon White anyway.

Austin Police Chief Paul M. Philipp said White, 80, is an inspiration to all. Since the unit was established in 1965, it has been invaluable to law enforcement providing a variety of public safety measures for the Austin Police and Mower County Sheriff's Department among another law enforcement agencies.

White, the police chief said, "has done a tremendous job" and Philipp observed, "You couldn't meet a nicer guy than Dean White."

Austin Mayor Bonnie Besse Rietz welcomed guests to the volunteer appreciation event.

She said volunteers provide services that assist the city staff in delivering a wide range of programs and services to the public.

Volunteers from the Austin- Mower County Law Enforcement Reserve, Welcome Center, Board of Review, Charter Commission, Planning Commission, Human Rights Commission, Austin Public Library and Library Board, Development Corporation of Austin, Apex Austin, Spruce Up Austin, Inc. and Jay C. Hormel Nature Center were introduced.

White was the recipient of the seventh annual volunteer honor. Previous winners were Kay Schulz, Gabby Weiss, Bev Smith, Jerry McCarthy, Dick Smaby, and Paul and Carla Boisjolie.

The recipient received a plaque and a gift certificate compliments of city administrator Patrick McGarvey to the Blue Belle Inn at St. Ansgar, Iowa.

Special guests at the event included city staff and officials, plus Mower County Commissioner Garry Ellingson

Charles Peters won the evening's door prize: an afghan noting historical events from the Mower County Historical Society.

Larry Dolphin, naturalist and director at the Nature Center, provided the evening's entertainment.

First Ward Council Member Mickey Jorgenson and city staffers Jeanne Howatt and Trish Wichman helped coordinate the event, during National Volunteer Week.

For more opportunities about volunteering for the city of Austin, call Howatt at

437-9940.