Wanakee Recognizes 2022 Recipients of the Phil Polhemus Award for Volunteer Commitment and Impact

James Tresner (Executive Director), Carrie Way (2022 Award Recipient), Rev. Phil Polhemus, Regina Bowler (2022 Award Recipient), Kevin Drew (Chair, Wanakee Board of Directors)

To the Wanakee Community,

On behalf of the Wanakee Board of Directors, I am pleased to announce Regina Bowler and Carrie Way as the 2022 recipients of the Phil Polhemus Award for Volunteer Commitment and Impact. The honor and award were given at the Wanakee Wilderness 5K held this past Saturday, August 20th, 2022.

Periodically, Wanakee honors individuals for their commitment to Wanakee’s ministry. The Phil Polhemus Award was created in 2017 and it recognizes outstanding volunteers for their invaluable and selfless commitment to Wanakee’s programs and/or facilities by honoring individuals whose depth and/or length of commitment is truly exceptional.

Carrie and Regina have been involved with Wanakee’s ministries for more than three decades after being introduced to Wanakee in the 1980s through the Pastor of their local congregation, First United Methodist Church (Littleton NH). Regina served on summer staff for three summers, and Carrie and Regina have long been foundational members of our volunteer nursing team; Carrie since 1988 and Regina since 2000. 

Both Carrie and Regina have served on Wanakee’s Board of Directors and assisted in recruiting and coordinating volunteer nurses. They continue to help prepare and maintain the health office, train the summer staff on health office procedures, and assist during work days including cooking for the masses. Regina has served as an event director for Treasure Hunters, and Carrie directs our semi-annual women's retreat, Wild Wanakee Women.

Regina and Carrie bring a high level of professionalism to the health office, and they also bring humor and a warm spirit to campers, staff, and other volunteers. For both of them, Wanakee is a place for family - their children have grown deep Wanakee roots of their own, serving as staff, volunteers, and/or supporters. Carrie and Regina’s level of dedication to Wanakee’s ministry and their longevity of service make them ideal candidates for the Phil Polhemus Award for Volunteer Commitment and Impact.

Please join me in thanking Regina and Carrie for their years of service!

Grace and Peace,

Nicole M. Richards

Executive Committee, Wanakee Board of Directors