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Ron Hanson - National Winner
Coralville, IA
Johnson County IA Chapter #31153
 If
you want to keep up with Ron Hanson, you’ll need a good pair
of running shoes.
Described as the human version of the Energizer® bunny, this
president (vice-president in 2005) of the Johnson County Iowa Chapter
of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans has unending enthusiasm to
help others. And, he has a proven track record of success.
While he sees many needs in the community, Ron also sees opportunities
to use Thrivent Financial as a valuable resource to help meet them.
When the Old Brick Community Center’s meeting hall needed
new flooring, Ron organized chapter volunteers to make it happen.
More than 3,200 square feet of wood flooring were laid and 1,000
member volunteer hours were donated.
His work with the chapter has helped connect resources to community
needs. An example is Table to Table Food Rescue, an organization
that rescues eight tons of food each week and delivers it to organizations
that help the hungry and homeless. Ron not only volunteers as a
delivery driver, he also uses opportunities to help through Thrivent
Financial Care programs, and offers to help with program requests.
“He is always there with a smile and a kind word,” said
Bob Anderlik, the organization’s executive director. “I
am both humbled and gratified by all the work he does for us.”
Ron’s help extends across the generations. He organized
the chapter’s largest-ever JOIN HANDS DAY event. Youth from
six local congregations collected and purchased over a ton of food
for the Crisis Center and Table to Table Food Rescue.
It was the first time youth groups from all six congregations worked
together on a single activity. That interaction between the groups
continues.
Ron also volunteers as a driver for the Emergency Housing Project
and prepares and serves food to the needy through the Wesley House
Free Lunch program and the Agape Breakfast program.
An active volunteer at his church, Zion Lutheran, Ron is well-known
for serving pancakes from a family recipe handed down through the
generations. He also is a strong supporter of the Lutheran Campus
Ministry and serves on its Campus Council.
A tireless volunteer with an effervescent personality. That’s
Ron Hanson.
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