Every year, the United Way of Olmsted County’s Women’s Leadership Council presents the Maude Finch Awards .
They're given in the spirit of a local woman who, when paid $20 for her clerical services for the Rochester Community Chest in 1925, donated it back to the organization.
The awards, which were presented Wednesday, honor a woman, a business and an organization for distinguished service given to advance the common good. This year's honorees are:
• Jane Campion and Wanda Hagquist, each received individual awards.
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Since returning to Rochester in 1976, Campion has helped many community programs. She helped start and provides ongoing support for the Salvation Army Medical and Dental Clinics, helped found the Diversity Council, planned use of the State Hospital property after the state closed the facility, and served as a mentor to many.
Hagquist has worked as a volunteer and leader for many groups. As the director of Volunteers in Education in 1978, she helped the program grow from 300 volunteers to 1,600 in 14 years. She also served Samaritan Bethany Nursing Home as a volunteer for more than 15 years.
• The Women’s Shelter Children’s Advocacy Volunteers program was honored for helping women and families move forward with their lives.
In 2010, 240 children were helped by the program. On average, 20 children live at the Women’s Shelter at any one time. The volunteers help the children by providing stability, patience, fun activities, interactions with caring adults and feelings of safety.
• The Canadian Honker restaurant was honored for contributing food and support to help community partner programs, families of deployed military personnel, victims of area flooding and flood cleanup efforts. Organizations helped include the Salvation Army, Channel One, Serving Our Troops and the United Way of Olmsted County.
