Steering community service to new heights, Anoka County celebrated the selfless commitment of volunteers at the Medlink Transportation Program with a luncheon on Sept. 30, spotlighting the individuals who drive residents to pivotal medical appointments, a tradition of support critical to those with limited mobility. In commendation of the volunteers, a statement obtained by Anoka County's official website expressed gratitude and recognized the notable statistics that defined a year of service: from Sept. 1, 2024, to Aug. 31, 2025, volunteer drivers covered an astounding 124,662 miles across 5,155 trips.
In an era when community often feels like a word from a bygone dictionary, these volunteers, enshrined by time offered, proved that care extends beyond words, amassing 6,745 hours of service equivalent to over 248 days of relentless effort; this, according to Mike Gamache, chair of the Anoka County Board of Commissioners, speaks to the integral nature of the Medlink program, "My fellow commissioners and I thoroughly enjoy coming to the Medlink luncheon every fall and seeing the dozens of drivers who make this program possible," Mike Gamache said, "This service is integral in our county, as many residents need reliable transportation to and from appointments, and the drivers oftentimes develop relationships that go beyond the simple act of transportation.".
The luncheon not only served as a gathering of gratitude but also as a moment to honor those who have turned volunteerism into a sustained endeavor with several drivers recognized for their long-term commitment to the Medlink Transportation Program, including milestones of 5 to 10 years of service by individuals like Cindy Murawski and Jerry Barber among others, celebrating the threads that weave the fabric of Anoka County's communal blanket.
Acknowledgments also spotlighted drivers who led the roster in commitment over the past year, with the top accolades going to Bill Merry, registering 14,663 miles, 657 hours, and 498 trips, followed by John Watson, who committed to 7,437 miles and 311 hours over 232 trips, Dean Wagner, and further commendations to Don Manion and Denny Anderson for their considerable contributions.
