By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
United Way surprises Snyder
01.30 snyder 2
Linda Snyder is all smiles as she poses for some pictures at a reception in her honor. - photo by Photo by Sandi Van Orden

The United Way recognized Linda Snyder’s years of volunteer work with the organization at a surprise reception Wednesday.

Snyder organized the Sustaining our Seniors (S.O.S) program. She has volunteered for the United Way since 1990.

Bonnie Dixon, director for the United Way Service Center Effingham, said Snyder is one of the strongest examples of unselfishness, love and concern for others that many in attendance had ever met.

“She puts everyone before herself,” Dixon said of Snyder. “If she commits to something — no matter how big or small — you can be 100 percent certain that the task will be done before it is due. It will be done under budget, and if she can’t get volunteers to help her she will just do it herself.”

Dixon said Snyder is love in action, and she has never heard Snyder make an excuse.

“Linda, we express our love and thanks to you, and your family, today for the remarkable volunteer power that you have given to make possible the Brown Bag and S.O.S. Programs, to insure that senior citizens had a supplemental food program, and for making Effingham County a better place for seniors to live.”

Dixon, along with advisory board members, presented Snyder with a cross and had a brown bag signed by those at the reception.

The S.O.S. program ended in December, but Dixon announced the beginning of a new program that is about to begin.

Dixon said there is a 40-foot container that is the beginning of fresh produce storage space, “kind of like a farmers market.” Working with area farmers who will deliver fruits and vegetables on a regular basis local food pantries will be able to pick up the fresh produce as needed.

She said the installation and labor for the cooler container is being donated by Leland Sanders at Temcor.

The program will be in collaboration with the Food OutReach Co-op of Effingham.