Award winners of the Butler Collaborative for Families Celebration of Collaboration stand with group officials Thursday, July 11, at Alameda Park. From left are co-chairwoman Becky Clouse, Josette Skobieranda Dau, Suzi Shoup, Raylene Jindra and co-chairwoman Linda Thoma. Eddie Trizzino/Butler Eagle

BUTLER TWP — The Butler Collaborative for Families awards people making a difference in the community each year during its Celebration of Collaboration, which is also when area volunteers get a chance to stop and smell the jelly.

The collaborative’s co-chairwomen, Linda Thoma and Becky Clouse, surprised the adult volunteer of the year, Raylene Jindra, with a jar of grape jelly — the longtime server at Katie’s Kitchen’s “secret ingredient” — during the celebration Thursday. Jindra and fellow Katie’s Kitchen volunteer, Suzi Shoup, both earned the adult volunteer of the year recognition, and both said the work itself is still rewarding for both of them.

“It’s a pleasure to give back, it’s very rewarding,” said Shoup, who also spends about 10 hours a week volunteering at Butler VA Healthcare.

In addition to Jindra and Shoup, Anna Comes, founder of Anna’s Closet, earned the youth volunteer of the year award, and the collaborative surprised Josette Skobieranda Dau, associate director of Butler SUCCEED, with the BCF Spirit of Collaboration Award.

Anna is a rising junior at Slippery Rock Area High School, and opened a “closet” where people can pick up dresses and other accessories for formal occasions. She also volunteers at All Good Things, helps the school’s wellness and special needs clubs and is in the National Honors Society, according to her nomination form. Anna could not attend the ceremony Thursday because she was traveling. When her nomination form was submitted, she was learning about culture abroad in Europe.

“She is the student who will befriend any peer that may be sitting alone, stands up to bullying and will always volunteer no matter the ask,” said Ken Clowes, a member of the collaborative with Butler County Community College, who was reading from Anna’s nomination form.

“I look forward to seeing what Anna does as she grows up and maybe even becoming a member of BCF in the future.”

Skobieranda Dau has been associate director of Butler SUCCEED since January 2022, and has organized numerous community aid events since then, broadening communications between agencies in Butler in the process.

“She is everywhere, she does so much,” Clouse said.

Linda Thoma, co-chairwoman of the Butler Collaborative for Families, left, gifts Raylene Jindra a jar of grape jelly as part of her recognition as a volunteer of the year Thursday, July 11, at Alameda Park. Eddie Trizzino/Butler Eagle