The official definition of the word Volunteer is a person who freely offers to take part in an enterprise or undertake a task. Oakdale Electric Cooperative’s Selfless Service Award was implemented to recognize those volunteers that go the extra mile. With a name that’s widely recognized in the Tomah community, and considered the “volunteer queen”, Deb Reid was awarded with the latest Selfless Service Award.
Deb, originally from Iowa, moved to Tomah with her family in 2002. Shortly thereafter, she became a member of the Tomah Sports Booster Club. That was just the beginning of Deb’s twenty-year (and counting) commitment to her community. Currently, she is the President of the Tomah Sports Booster Club, Treasurer for the Tomah Rotary Club, and an active member in the Tomah Lions Club.
Fellow Tomah Rotarian Mandy Wagner, and Deb’s Selfless Service Award nominator, stated, “I’ve known her for over 20 years and the first thing she asked me when we met was to volunteer at the concert at Fort McCoy, which we did for 7 years.” Additionally, Deb is on the Youth Soccer Board, Tomah Holiday Lights Committee, and is the Advisor for the Tomah High School Interact Club. Mandy stated, “She is always willing to help and finds joy in it. Deb truly inspires me.”
Deb works full-time for the Tomah Area School District (TASD) as the Activities Department Assistant. “Deb knows what is going on, all the time,” stated colleague Brad Plueger TASD Activities Director. For years, Deb was the Treasurer for the Tomah Stix Softball Association and continues today to play a critical role for youth sports inside, and outside, of the school district by hiring officials, event workers and recruiting volunteers. Not only will you find Deb volunteering at community events, like Monroe County’s National Night Out and the Budweiser Dairyland National Truck and Tractor Pull, but organizing them too. Tomah’s Annual Freeze Fest and Rally for the Record, fundraisers coordinated by Reid, positively impact the Tomah community. Brad went on to say, “Whether it’s raising money or donating money, Deb cares and ensures such events take place for kids and community members to enjoy.”
There is no task too big or too small for Deb Reid. She is the true definition of a volunteer and well-deserving of the Selfless Service Award. Brad Plueger concluded by stating, “Deb is not a worker, nor a volunteer, but a person who truly cares. She is simply amazing.”