FOX VALLEY (NBC 26) — There are some pretty great people who live in our community; and NBC 26 is proud to partner with Community Foundation for the Fox Valley to showcase a few of our neighbors.
As nominations are open for this year's volunteer awards, meet the winners from 2020.
First, we start with Chad Kazel. He didn't necessarily plan to get into volunteering, but is now making huge efforts to bring attention to mental health in the Fox Valley, winning the Janet Berry Volunteer of the Year Award.
"The reason I got into volunteering is because unfortunately, I lost a good friend to suicide. With that, I had a lot of questions of 'Why? How can I help? What could I have done more?"
Chad Kazel has unfortunately known too many people lost to suicide, but it was after the loss of a close friend that he turned his questions into actions to help others in the Fox Valley.
"I really want to be that guy that can help anyone and everyone," he said.
Kazel's journey started about four years ago. He began volunteering his time to help with mental health awareness, especially for our kids. He's a part of several programs to date, but it all started with Camp Hope in Stevens Point which led him to the Boys and Girls Club where he spends a lot of time with the Child Grieving Center. Kazel makes it his mission to help anyone he can, adding by just taking a few minutes to reach out can make all the difference.
"If you're in the cafeteria or if you're walking down the hall, you walk down and someone's got their head down, just again, ask them how they are. Because again, you might be that one person that they want to talk to or ask the right question at the right time."
It's those moments that Counselor Chad, as he's known to some, makes him feel he's doing what he should be.
"Those moments, when I see them getting more help and kind of following me around I guess a little bit, is great, I love seeing them there."
While he wasn't looking for recognition, last year he was awarded the Janet Berry Volunteer of the Year Award. It's an honor recognizing someone whose made great strides to impact positive change in the Fox Valley.
"I'm caught off guard with it, it's truly the most amazing, humbling experience I've ever had," Kazel said. "I definitely did not get into volunteering to win awards."
As for what Kazel's up to now? (Besides volunteering multiple places) He's currently working to create a non-profit, ';ust Listen' [just listen] with the parents of his friend who passed away.
"I think if you spend that 20 minutes to just listen, is more impactful than you think that any have ever known."
Chad was awarded $5,000 from Amcor and donated it to the Boys and Girls Club.
If you know someone who you think would be a great fit for this award, click here. There are also a few other categories up for nominations in the 2021 awards. They close February 5.
