Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NORTH WEBSTER – Sue Ann Mitchell received a standing ovation from the crowd when she was named Volunteer of the Year at North Webster Community Center’s annual Heart of the Lakes dinner Saturday night.
“Sue Ann has been a valued board member of the North Webster Community Center since the times when the center barely had two nickels to rub together,” said NWCC Director Emily Shipley. “Due to her leadership and dedication, the community center has remained a steadfast community resource. Her impact goes far beyond simply attending meetings or serving on a board. She brings something special with her every time she walks through our doors.”
Shipley highlighted Mitchell’s kindness, compassion and integrity in her address to the assembled guests. “Those qualities are incredibly valuable in a board member, but even more importantly, they’re qualities that make a difference in a community,” she said.
“I am beyond shocked,” Mitchell said after receiving the honor. “We have so many people that do so much and I appreciate all of them. We’ve been able to work together as a team and we’ve been able to do some wonderful things with this building we never thought would be possible.”
The Heart of the Lakes dinner is NWCC’s biggest fundraiser of the year, with proceeds going to support the center’s year-round programming. Shipley shared NWCC had 54,000 visitors in 2023; 66,000 in 2024; and 70,000 in 2025, making for a 45% increase since 2023.
The event featured live and silent auctions, a buffet catered by Chubbie’s and a prize raffle.
Silent auction items were on display at the event with bidding online. Items ran the gamut from athletic shoes to handmade art, home decor and gift cards for local businesses.
At the live paddle auction, conducted by Brian Wuthrich of Hahn Auctioneers, guests could bid on sporting goods, Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts tickets and even an old Geoffrey the Giraffe costume. Two lucky winners also won gas and groceries for the year.
Before the night ended, Shipley also included a tribute to late NWCC board member Jeff Atwood.
“Jeff didn’t just volunteer his time or serve on our board – he invested in our community. He cared about the people who walked through these doors and about making North Webster a better place,” she said.
