Public service volunteers in Pella were recognized at an annual banquet Thursday night. Members of the Pella Fire Department, Pella Ambulance, and Pella Police Reserves were honored for their service by members of the Pella City Council and Mayor Jim Mueller. Mueller says the City of Pella owes a large debt of gratitude to the public service volunteers that keep the community safe.

“I think it’s really important to be able to recognize the volunteers for what they do for the community,” he says. “They really don’t get thanked enough for all of the training and all the extra hours and all the things that they provide, and they really go above and beyond.”

The following were recognized for hitting five-year milestones of service:

Joey Braafhart – 10 years as a volunteer firefighter
Randy Reineke – 10 years as a volunteer firefighter
Jason Schroeder – 15 years as a volunteer firefighter
Brad Ter Louw – 15 years as a volunteer firefighter
Dan Vander Beek – 25 years as an ambulance volunteer
Ken Van Woerkom – 35 years as volunteer firefighter

Van Woerkom is now retired from the department (pictured above), and was honored with a special plaque by Fire Chief Doug Van Gorkom.

“We’re going to miss him, because he’s a very good firefighter and he also liked to have a lot of fun and kept us loose when we needed to be loose, but when he needed to tighten up and do his job, he did a very good job.”

Lt. Shane Cox introduced new reserve officer Seb Sikora, and Pella Ambulance Director Greg Higginbotham welcomed Brianna Smith, Luke Roose, Cassie Crummett, Katie Dyson, Blake Wooten, Jenn Gannaway, and Lisa Smith.

Higginbotham also recognized members of Pella Ambulance and the Pella Police Department who helped save an individual’s life with CPR — the following received the Heartsaver Hero award from the American Heart Association:

Tom DeYoung, Teri Van Kooten, Don Van Maanen, Dan Vander Beek, Christine Buttell, Toni Van Roekel from Pella Ambulance, and Kaci Visser, Tim Donelson, Nathan Wolff, Justin Bailey, and Dave Beukelman with the Pella Police Department.

Individual photos of years of service honorees:
Joey Braafhart

Randy Reineke

Jason Schroeder

Brad Ter Louw

Dan Vander Beek