This Harmony native, now living in Rochester, has written numerous novels, short stories, newspaper, magazine articles and educational material for patients at Mayo Clinic. With a background in journalism, Hahn is now using her skills to work with the Harmony Area Historical Society to build archives of oral histories from some of Harmony’s most knowledgeable residents.

For Kathy Simpson, volunteering is more than just giving back; it is an excuse to do what she loves and to assure the progress and growth of Spring Valley.

Depending on the person, volunteering can mean a number of different things and take a variety of forms, manners and projects. For Vicky Tribon of Harmony, volunteering means serving.

Like many volunteers, Gerrie Daley of Preston wants to help others, as well as keep valued activities going. She first started volunteering as a 4-H club member in the Winona area where she grew up. She, along with other club members, encouraged and helped others come up with a topic and do a presentation. She happily reported each club member did one.

Volunteering is important to every community. Many organizations could not be run as efficiently or effectively if volunteers didn’t step up to the plate to lend a hand. Something as simple as folding papers, taking out the garbage or even helping clean an area can take a great deal of pressure off a group or club.

Volunteers helping with the Adopt a Highway program picked up 970,000 pounds — more than 100 dump truck loads — of litter in 2014, saving the state an estimated $7 million, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

Tyler Simpson has volunteered to make a difference through AmeriCorps and the Minnesota Reading Corps Program.

Finding joy in helping others; that is one reason that Lee Hoekstra of Spring Grove volunteers in the community.