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Gaustads named RC Chamber 2001 Community Service Award recipientsBy MaryHelen Swanson Perhaps it can be taught, but more often than not it seems that giving unto others comes naturally, and more so to some people than others. For Georgia and Wes Gaustad of Rush City, it appears to have been part of the package since birth, and it is greatly appreciated. Top of the list of appreciative people might be those three whose lives were saved by Wesí quick thinking and actions in past years. Or the stranded folks he helped along the roadways, or the little children he transported back and forth to school every day, year after year. Or maybe itís the hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of people who have received life-giving blood because of Georgiaís long-term dedication to the Rush City blood drives. Or maybe those who will benefit from an organ transplant due to her devoted efforts in spreading the word about this gift of love. Certainly, numbered among those appreciating all that these two fine people have done and continue to do, are the members of the Rush City Chamber who have just named the Gaustads the 2001 Community Service Award winners. Why? ìIt was built in me from day one,î Wes surmises. Much of what he has done has involved the actual welfare of people, such as serving on the Rush City Volunteer Fire department for 27 years, or the ambulance for 30 years, or the 15 years he ìhelpedî out at the police department to give Chester Larson a ìnight off.î For 51 years he drove school bus for Rush City, watching closely as the children climbed into and out of his bus without harm and then for a couple of more years he rode as a paraprofessional on the bus for North Branch schools. He also drove for the Heartland Express for many years and individually drove many others to needed destinations. His interest in first aid goes back to Boy Scouts and obviously served as a good background leading him to be an EMT. Wes, it seems, also took that Boy Scout motto ìBe Preparedî seriously and has always carried in his car a first aid kit, battery cables, tire patching gear, and many other items for emergencies. Years ago, he said, you helped everyone who was Still, itís probably safe to say heíd stop and help if someone really needed him. Georgia assures us that Wes thinks of others first, and himself and his own safety last. Not a bad resumÈ for a man of 85. And then thereís Georgia. She proudly displays a plaque she received from the Red Cross last summer for 50 years of work with the Bloodmobile. ìI donít like changes,î she said, adding that once she gets into something she keeps doing it. Besides, she has the coordination of the blood drives down to an exact science. Right now sheís already passing out names for the 40 plus callers for the January blood drive. Georgia, who will be 80 in April, lists four ìpassionsî which keep her busy these days, the Red Cross Bloodmobile being number one. Followed closely is her work with the Pine City Senior Citizens Choir, her volunteer work at Fairview Lakes Medical Center in Wyoming, and the talks she gives to groups on organ donation. Oh, and she recently started volunteering for First Call For Help, a program that helps people find resources in time of need. Now, on top of these activities, Georgia has shared her love of music by directing the childrenís choir at First Lutheran Church in Rush City for 48 years and for 54 years sheís accompanied the senior choir there. Many grownups tickling the keyboards today got their start as piano students of Georgia. She has given lessons to hundreds of young people over a span of 60 some years. But, thatís not all. In 1995, Georgia was honored as ìVolunteer of the Yearî by the Post Review, and she has also been honored by Channel 11 as one of the ìEleven Who KAREî recipients. She has been an active member of the Seven County Senior Federation RSVP program, a volunteer receptionist at the Rush City Family Center, plays piano at the Rush City Senior Dining Site, and for the We ëRí Able programs, was selected Chisago County Senior Citizen of the Year, helped out significantly when the Rush City Hospital was operating, and has been involved in many, many church activities beyond the two choirs. She also is active in Eastern Star, Rush City Womenís Club, Rush City Garden Club, and Friends of the Library. And in her spare time she has hobbies that include needlework, crocheting and reading. But, these are done in the evenings while watching TV, you know, ìtwo birds with one stone.î Now, back to Wes, oh, yes, we havenít forgotten him. Sure, heís been busy as weíve noted, but the most important thing for him is to be there behind the scenes to make it possible for Georgia to do all the things she does. Georgia has been quoted in the past as saying, ìYour mind is like a garden. If you donít tend to it constantly the weeds will grow and take it over.î There are no weeds in the Gaustad gardens and itís not difficult to see why this couple has been chosen for the Chamberís special honor. They join a group of community people who have been honored since the Rush City Chamber started awarding the Community Service Award in 1972. Previous recipients include (starting with 1972): James McGuire, Dr. John W. Olson, Henry Sommer, Adrian Robinson, George Schneider, Karle Hammargren, Orrin Olson, Clarence McDonald, Walter (Mike) Diers, C. E. Jacobson, John Ordner, Roy Carlson, Pat McGuire, Leola Boda, Betty Diers, Floyd Bates, Louis Perreault, Cliff Siljen-dahl, Esther Schoeberl and Millie Wendt (both in 1990), Leo Johnson, Bob Erickson, Dennis Frandsen, Phil and Helen Leier, Harold Lind, Ilene Olson and Bev Anderson, Bob Frandsen, Loring Nelson, and Jim and Phyllis Bohaty in 2000. ©ECM Post Review |