South West Illinois News

Rep. David Friess (R-Red Bud) recently congratulated volunteer Violette Nast on winning the Governor’s Volunteer Service Award in their senior category.

“It is with great pleasure that we congratulate Violette Nast on her exceptional accomplishment,” said Friess in a news release.

A resident of Red Bud, Friess has lived in Illinois for most of his life, according to his website. Previously, he was an aircraft mechanic in the Air Force, and later for Delta Airlines in Atlanta, Ga. Friess represents the people, and community, of the 115th District.

This is not the first time that Nast has won the Governor's Volunteer Service Award. She also won last year. When congratulating her in September 2022, Rep. Friess noted that one of her "recent acts of service included helping to bake 175 pies for the mission fund at St. Paul’s United Church."

This year, Nast was chosen from over 60 other nominees based on her work in Monroe County with Hospice, Monroe-Randolph County Transit, and St. Paul United Church of Christ in Columbia.

Nast serves others despite having to maneuver around in a wheelchair. She won the award in large part because she is known for her selfless devotion and for being an asset in any possible way.

According to Friess: “We are grateful for her continued work in our community. Volunteers, like her make a bigger impact than any of us realize, so I’m honored for the opportunity to recognize her today. In retirement, her effort to continue to serve is obvious in every stride she takes. I have yet to see her turn someone down in need of a helping hand. Violette Nast is a true inspiration and we congratulate her on this well-deserved award.”

The Governor’s Volunteer Service Award is awarded by the Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service alongside the governor’s office.