Ad Astra Volunteer Honors

2024 Ad Astra Volunteer Honors recipients

Ad Astra volunteer nominations for 2025 will open soon.

Meet our 2024 recipients!
Tom Muth, Ellen Austin, Kenneth Taylor and Kimberly Wolff (in memory)

Ad Astra Honors shooting star logo with United Way logo and the words Nominate a Volunteer2020 marked the start of a new Nancy Perry Day of Caring tradition, the Ad Astra Honors. Ad Astra Honors celebrate volunteers in our community who go above and beyond to serve others. They are the unsung heroes, rarely seeking recognition and often are happy working their magic out of the spotlight.

The Honors will eventually encompass a variety of volunteer awards, including the Marge Heeney Award that honors volunteers who work directly with United Way. In 2021, we split the Ad Astra honors into two categories. The Professional category accepts nominations of volunteers ages 22 and over. The Youth category accepts nominations of volunteers ages 21 and younger.

Who can be nominated?

Volunteerism is woven into the fabric of our community and of United Way of Kaw Valley. It brings strength, color and texture to everything we do. When you and those around you serve, the impact goes beyond the agencies and individuals in our community, but it makes a better place for all to live when we work together. Ad Astra Honors recognize community members who continually go above and beyond the call to support our neighbors in need. To be considered for this award, the candidate must meet the following:

  • Create or support a program that created long lasting impact in Jackson, Jefferson, Douglas or Shawnee counties.
  • Completed over 25 verified hours of service (From August of the preceding year to August of the award year) in one of the impact areas below:
    • Education
    • Health
    • Financial Stability
    • Basic Needs
  • Must live, work or learn in one of the counties that we serve (Jackson, Jefferson, Douglas or Shawnee Counties)

Ad Astra Honors nominations open each summer, and links will be posted here and on our social media channels. Build your volunteer resume now with opportunities from KawValleyVolunteers.org. If you have questions about the Ad Astra Honors or volunteering in general, please email our volunteer engagement team.

Thank you to Prairie Glass Studio in Topeka for creating the Ad Astra plaques.

Return to the main Volunteer page.

Ad Astra Honors Recipients

Kenneth Taylor - 2024 Marge Heeney Award for UWKV internal volunteer service

Tom Muth - 2024 Ad Astra Service to the Community Professional Honor - Shawnee County

Ellen Austin - 2024 Ad Astra Service to the Community Youth Honor - Shawnee County

Kimberly Wolff - 2024 Ad Astra Service to the Community (memorial)

Maya Perez - 2023 Ad Astra Service to the Community Youth Honor (age 21 and younger)

Joe Beasley - 2023 Ad Astra Service to the Community Professional Honor - Shawnee County

Deb Engstrom - 2023 Ad Astra Service to the Community Professional Honor - Douglas County

Marie Carter - 2023 Marge Heeney Award for UWKV internal volunteer service

Kirstianna Guerrero received the 2022 Ad Astra Service to Community Youth Honor (ages 21 and younger).

Lauren Wolf received the 2022 Ad Astra Service to the Community Professional Honor (ages 22 and older).

Jim Daniel received the 2022 Marge Heeney Award for UWGT internal volunteer service.

Brenda Blackman received the 2021 Ad Astra Professional Service to the Community Honor (ages 22 and older).

Bryce Liedtke received the 2021 Ad Astra Youth Service to the Community Honor (ages 21 and younger).

Joe Beasley was recognized with the 2021 Marge Heeney Award for UWGT internal volunteer service. 

The 2020 Marge Heeney Award was presented to Marlou Wegener. 

The 2020 Ad Astra Award was presented to Angela Dake.