United Way of Washington County presented Michael Bloedorn with the Clifford A. & Elizabeth M. Nelson Volunteer Leadership Award at the Champions of Change volunteer awards event on June 24.
The Clifford A. & Elizabeth M. Nelson Volunteer Leadership Award was created to recognize an individual in Washington County who has demonstrated community leadership and a long-term commitment to volunteering. It is named in honor of the late Cliff Nelson and his wife Betty, who are known for their outstanding volunteer efforts on behalf of human service, civic, and arts organizations. Each year, past Nelson Award winners nominate and select a new recipient.
“Mike truly represents what this award is all about,” said Kristin Brandner, Executive Director of United Way of Washington County. “His list of volunteer work and community leadership speaks for itself, but beyond that, Mike is an incredibly kind and generous person. We are thankful for all he has done for our community, and we are honored by his involvement with United Way.”
Bloedorn’s current volunteer activities include working on United Way of Washington County’s Community Impact Committee, serving on Family Promise of Washington County’s board of directors, and participating in the Optimist Club of West Bend. He is retired from Washington County’s Human Services Department, where he worked for more than 40 years.
In the past, Bloedorn has volunteered on numerous local nonprofit boards, including United Way of Washington County, Boys & Girls Clubs of Washington County, St. Joseph’s Community Hospital, Albrecht Free Clinic, Washington Ozaukee Waukesha Workforce Development, and State of Wisconsin Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention.
In 2003, Bloedorn received the Betty Pearson Community Leadership Award from the West Bend Area Chamber of Commerce. In 2010, Bloedorn received the American Red Cross “Real Heroes” award for “Commitment to Community.”
Bloedorn also holds the distinction of being the first Big Brother to volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washington County when the organization was getting started in 1970.