Joni Bruhn presented with Beatrice Service to Mankind award

Through her work with the TeamMates program and numerous other projects involving youth and the community, Sertoma Clubs of Beatrice awarded the Beatrice Service to Mankind award to Joni Bruhn.

The presentation was made at a banquet Friday evening in Beatrice. The Service to Mankind Award is based on the amount of volunteer service that a person gives to the community, state or nation. It is based on the need for the service they provided, if they had to develop a new program or service or the uniqueness of the program or service.

When Tom and Nancy Osbome formed the TeamMates mentoring program, a local group was formed. After eight years of struggling, organizers were at a point of making the program work or shutting it down. Under the direction of Bruhn, who serves as a mentor to a middle school girl, the program has taken off and has gone from one mentor match to more than 20. Bruhn was recently selected by the TeamMates program as coordinator of the year.

Bruhn also has served on the Mother-to-Mother Ministry Board of Directors and is currently delivering Meals on Wheels.

Bruhn is active with youth projects, serving in various booster clubs making signs as well as helping raise funds. She along with others helped build a concession stand at the YMCA. She is active with her daughter's softball team and helps with anything that needs to be done. She has organized ball teams and set up tournaments for Zion Youth east of Beatrice to raise funds for their program.