Tuesday, April 21, 2026 |
Photo – KD Shinkle (center) with volunteers and City Representatives – Courtesy City of Rawlins
Officials around Carbon County declared this as National Volunteer Recognition Week.
In 1974, President Richard Nixon issued Proclamation 4288, establishing National Volunteer Week to honor and promote volunteer service nationwide.
During the April 7th Rawlins City Council meeting, Mayor Jacquelin Wells declared the week of April 19th through the 25th as National Volunteer Week. Reading from the proclamation, Mayor Wells said both the city and the Downtown Development Authority rely on hundreds of volunteers to support community programs and local improvement projects.
Continuing to read from the proclamation, Mayor Wells said volunteers help government and businesses keep communities functioning. Following the reading, Downtown Development Authority Executive Director Pam Thayer thanked the city’s 500 volunteers for their commitment to improving their community.
Continuing to recognize the city’s volunteers, Rawlins Fire Chief and Volunteer Committee member Allen Robinson announced the winner of the April Community Builder Award. Chief Robinson presented the honor to Recreation Center Administrative Assistant and Rawlins Police Department Victim Assistance volunteer K.D. Shinkle.
Downtown Development Authority Executive Director Pam Thayer described Shinkle as the quintessential volunteer, saying the award recipient plays a key role as a victim assistance advocate. Thayer said Shinkle is dedicated to serving the public and supporting victims of crime.
Thayer said victims describe Shinkle as having a big heart and taking the hardest calls with empathy and composure. When asked why she does the work, Thayer said Shinkle responded that she values the community, wants to help, and hopes more residents will consider volunteering.
All Community Builder Award winners receive a plaque and $100 to donate to a non-profit organization of their choice. Shinkle chose to give her prize money to Carbon County Crisis Outreach and Victim Empowerment, or COVE.
Nearly one week later, on April 13th, the Medicine Bow Town Council recognized today, April 21st, as National Service Recognition Day. Clerk and Treasurer Karen Heath read the proclamation, stating that volunteers are vital to the community’s stability and long‑term health.
Medicine Bow Mayor Justin George said National Service Recognition Day holds personal significance for him, noting that the example set by others inspired him to become an emergency medical technician. Mayor George added that many essential municipal services are carried out by volunteers and urged residents to step into one of the many open board seats.
Following his remarks, Mayor George proclaimed today as National Service Recognition Day in the Town of Medicine Bow.
