BULLHEAD CITY - Volunteers fill an important, if not necessary, niche in the health care and counseling services industry. And WestCare Arizona, with facilities throughout the Tri-state, is no exception.

With efforts by volunteers in mind, each year for nearly 10 years the organization has recognized one of its many volunteers as “Volunteer of the Year.”

The latest honoree is Velma Anderson. Anderson, 81, was recognized at a recent organization dinner held to honor all volunteers at the Tropicana Express in Laughlin.

Jan Moller, Anderson's immediate supervisor at the company thrift store at 1710 Lakeside in Bullhead City, said the honoree was a natural choice. Proceeds from sales at the thrift store go toward supporting the various services WestCare provides residents of the area. Services include drug counseling and family and domestic violence services, DUI screening and anger management sessions.

“How many hours do you have?” Moller responded when asked why she nominated Anderson, who volunteers 32 hours each week at the store, for the award.

“She's absolutely wonderful. She's never late, she's always smiling and she is a wonderful person to be around,” Moller said. “She does everything I ask of her, and a lot of things I don't have to ask of her, and she does it without questions or comments.”

More than once, Moller referred to Anderson as “the perfect volunteer” and “just an outstanding person.”

Francine Collier, WestCare Arizona domestic violence coordinator who oversees administration of the thrift store, said Anderson, who has worked at the store since September 2006, reflects the best and most admired attributes of all WestCare Arizona volunteers.

“To my way of thinking they (volunteers) all deserve it,” Collier said. “But if we had to give it to just one, Velma was certainly deserving.”

Collier said Anderson does the little things that help create a harmonious working development, including bringing in home-cooked meals and cookies for the staff at the store.

“No matter what the situation, she will go above and beyond,” Collier said.

As for Anderson, she admitted she is still in somewhat of a fog over the unexpected honor.

“I don't remember much of the night after they called my name,” Anderson said. “I do remember turning to Sue (her daughter) and asking if I should stand up. And all the way up (to the dais to receive the award) all I could say was ‘Oh, my God, Oh my God.'”

The 2008 Volunteer of the Year added that her boss and fellow workers make her work easy.

“I just love them, we get along so well. They're a wonderful group to work with,” Anderson said. “To me, though, this is not work, it's a pleasure. When I'm here, I feel so good that I'm doing something that helps people.”