Veteran’s Day proved to be a great day for Prudential ABSOLUTE REALTORS to hold its Annual Giraffe Awards ceremony. “Many of the individuals were nominated for helping our Veterans,” said Terry Donahue. “It was a wonderful coincidence that the event be held on Veteran’s Day,” added Jon Spheeris, “the Giraffe Awards is all about thanking and honoring people who give of themselves to others”. Donahue and Spheeris own Prudential ABSOLUTE REALTORS.

Created by Prudential ABSOLUTE REALTORS in 1996, the Giraffe Award honors individuals who “stick their neck out” for others with their volunteerism and good deeds. Each fall nominations are sought from schools, civic organizations and the public throughout the Lake Country Area. All nominations are reviewed by a Selection Committee that includes representatives of Prudential ABSOLUTE REALTORS, past Giraffe Award recipients, educators and other community leaders. The 2010 nominees included: Alexandria Gilbert, Benjamin Rawson, Hannah Gurule, Rick & Stacie Andritsch, Carol Euringer, Virginia Gallauer, Ann Harrington, Anne Frentzel, Tamara Hauck, Spencer & Jean Hicks, Kia LaBracke, Doug Powers, Greener Oconomowoc, Ty Staszak, Kelly Koehn, Kaitlyn Pierce, Laura Gilbert, David Dean, Keith Farley and the Lake Area Free Clinic.

Friends, family and fellow volunteers including past Giraffe Award recipients joined Thursday’s celebration at Lutheran Homes of Oconomowoc and the Lake Country Life Enrichment Center. “We are proud to host this inspiring event. The Giraffe Awards recognize those who stick their neck out for others, who make a daily difference in the health and wellbeing of our communities." said LHO Executive Director Tim Thiele. “The Giraffe Awards has acknowledged many Lutheran Home’s terrific volunteers throughout the years,” added Spheeris.

All nominees were presented with certificates of recognition and appreciation and seven Giraffe Award recipients were presented with hand-carved Giraffe statues representative of “sticking their necks out” for others. “The Giraffes are hand carved in Kenya,” said Donahue, “the unique Giraffes have been our symbol of sticking your neck out for others."

Giraffe Awards were presented to: Laura Gilbert, David Dean, Keith Farley, Ty Staszak (Youth Category K-5th), Kelly Koehn (Youth Category 6-8^th) and Kaitlyn Pierce (Young Adult Category 9-12^th). The Lake Area Free Clinic received the Volunteer Project of the Year Award.

The Giraffe Award provides a way for residents of the Lake Country to nominate and recognize their peers for community contributions and past Giraffe Award recipients participate with nominations and in other ways year after year. Lucine Spheeris, coordinates the Giraffe Award for Prudential ABSOLUTE REALTORS requested, “Begin thinking about who you would like to nominate for a Giraffe Award in 2011!”