Each year our organization has honored people who have volunteered and made a big difference for Michigan Humanists. These people are often not just one year contributors, but have usually supplied sustained help over a number of years.
This year we would like to honor not just one person, but an entire family: The Haken Family!
Dwyane Haken has been the lead cook for breakfasts at the Retreat for a long time, having attended since 2012. Most attendees of the Retreat have one volunteer job. Dwayne has been in charge of breakfast both Saturday’s and Sunday’s. This has included a few weekends when he needed to work his real job during the day on Saturday, therefore he came to camp Friday night to help with Saturday morning breakfast, went to work, then came back Saturday night to help on Sunday. He does this not because he has to, or because of the awesome compensation we give our volunteers, but because he wants to: he loves the release and camaraderie his time at the Retreat, and specifically in the kitchen, provides.
Susan Haken has done numerous volunteer jobs for us over the years. She is the person at the check-in table at the Retreat Friday evenings. She has also contributed many years, ahead of the Retreat, by doing Cabin and Volunteer assignments. Besides the Retreat, Susan has also tabled with us at the Grand Rapids Pride Festival, and helped at the Long Lake Workday.
Their children, Emma and Chloe, have grown up with us, and are long time contributors. They usually help Dwyane in the kitchen, or Susan at Check-in. Last year, they took on the role of Lodge Managers at the Retreat. They know the ins and outs as well as anyone, so they stepped up and helped keep the drink jugs full, communicated between kitchen staff and attendees, and cleaned up the lodge after meals. Emma has also tabled with us at Pride, and helped at the Long Lake workday.
We appreciate all they have done, year after year. We will also honor them next summer at our Secular Summer Retreat, and want to extend our deepest appreciation and thank you to Susan, Dwayne, Emma and Chloe Haken.
