Alexandria, Va. (April 15, 2016) — Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA), which represents one of the largest faith-based social service networks in the country, is pleased to announce that Bishop Emeritus William S. Skylstad and Colin Arnold, volunteers at Catholic Charities of Spokane and Catholic Community Service of Juneau, Alaska respectively, are winners of CCUSA’s 2016 Volunteer of the Year award.
Since his retirement in 2010, Bishop Skylstad has volunteered in many capacities. He spends one day a week at the House of Charity providing counseling, and spiritual guidance to clients. The bishop also has helped connect Catholic Charities of Spokane to constituents who have been hard to reach, and he has opened doors to donors who are eager to support causes he champions. Bishop Skylstad is in a unique position to assist the agency’s work concerning Catholic identity by bringing pastors to the agency for tours, information sessions, and collaboration.
Mr. Arnold has been washing dishes five days per week, 52 weeks a year, for 21 years at the Swan Lake Senior Center in Sitka, Alaska. So dependable is he that if he does not show up at his regular time, someone goes to check on him. Mr. Arnold’s gift to the senior center goes well beyond cleaning. His kind demeanor endears him to the seniors who attend the meal program. Everyone’s spirit and well-being are uplifted by Colin’s friendliness and example of service.
The Volunteer of the Year award has been given out annually since 1998 and honors the contributions of more than 300,000 volunteers each year who dedicate their time and talents to the Catholic Charities network. Bishop Skylstad and Mr. Arnold were selected from the following list of impressive finalists:
- Elba Cruz Schulman (Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Hartford)
- Jan Moore (Catholic Charities Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend)
- Mr. and Mrs. Walter Merchant (Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City)
- Mr. and Mrs. Dick Koprowski (Catholic Charities of Central Colorado)
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