Volunteer of the Year - Timothy Danielson

Timothy Danielson, also known as “ the baseball card guy” in elementary schools in Mason County, spends his time volunteering with youth, serving the homeless and connecting with people in drug rehabilitation. His commitment to Mason County Central Schools has continued through all of his kids academic years from 2003 through today.  Timothy has served more than 2,500 hours with the schools during the last 15 years, tutoring, helping with events and mentoring children with special needs. He gives away baseball cards as a way to encourage students to perform better academically and in athletics. Timothy has also volunteered more than 1,000 hours at Hospitality I.N.C, a homeless shelter in Ludington. He serves as a team leader and host, helping with coordination, donations and computer training for guests. “Tim has made our shelter a priority for serving others,” said president Timothy A. Martin. “Tim has outstanding work ethic, uncompromising moral character and a heart to serve.” After the passing of his father, however, Timothy struggled. Dealing with his mental health issues made it easier for him to connect and form relationships with people in drug rehabilitation. He uses his personal struggles to talk to people in rehabilitation to better understand and relate to them. Timothy became a certified alcohol and drug counselor and has inspired others to volunteer through his work. He has shown people in treatment that serving the community can be a positive and rewarding experience to help them in their own recovery process. Timothy’s impressive widespread service has also includes the Grand Valley University Renaissance Festival, helping bring Celebrate recovery to Mason County, serving as a former officer of both the Ludington Area Jaycees and Michigan State Jaycees, helping repair houses for Hurricane Katrina Relief, and acting as a Co-Captain and Entertainment coordinator for the Mason County Relay for Life