Ruth Bower honored by Worland-Ten Sleep Ambassadors as Volunteer of the Year

Ruth Bower honored by Worland-Ten Sleep Ambassadors as Volunteer of the Year

The following letter written by Jean Wright, Worland Ambassador and read at the presentation of her award:

This volunteer, Ruth Bower, has devoted most of her adult life to serving our community.  When her 6 kids were growing up, she was in the midst of 4H projects with them.  While she claims she wasn't a teacher, she was a "good critic".  She was heavily involved with area Extension Clubs in promoting Home Economics.

These activities went hand in hand with her involvement with the Farm Bureau.  She served as a reporter for Washakie County.  She was a member of the Women's Committee which sponsored "Talent Find" and raised money for scholarships for young women to attend the University of Wyoming in order to major in Home Economics.

She and her husband were involved in the International Foreign Youth Exchange, a 4-H program as well as the Young Farmer Trainee Program, and sponsored several young people on their farm.  Through the Farm Bureau, they also helped to promote legislative issues that benefitted area farmers and ranchers including the creation of insurance.

This volunteer served on the Worland School Board because she cared about education. However, she is probably best known however for her 30 years of service on the Hospital Board.  For at least 25 of these years she was the Treasurer. She is still actively involved in the Hospital Auxiliary after being a member for more than 30 years.  Every year she can be found working the Ice Cream Social or helping in the hospital Gift Shop, raising money for extra patient comforts. 
She hasn't missed a year baking cookies for the Worland Health Fair Blood Draws at the Hospital.

Her latest endeavor is the Hospital Foundation which raises money to purchase new patient care equipment.  She can be found at the State Barbecue selling goodies to raise funds for the foundation.

She is an active participant in St. Alban's Women, helping with funeral and special dinners as well as their annual bake sale.  St. Alban's Thrift Shop which she has been involved in almost since the beginning donates its proceeds to local charities.

This volunteer still has time for politics and is involved in the Wyoming Republican Central Committee and Republican Women.  They sponsor the annual Republican Women's House Walk and the proceeds they raise go to scholarships for older women who want to go back to school.

Ruth's motto for her dedication to these various activities is "Don't belong if you aren't going to get involved.”