Longtime WASI volunteer receives award from local legislators

WASILLA — Longtime Wasilla Area Seniors staff turned volunteer Carol Rice recently received an award for her extensive contributions to local seniors over many years.

“She’s an outstanding individual,” WASI Assistant Executive Director Marlene Munsell said. “She’s the real deal.”

Sen. David Wilson and Rep. Cathy Tilton presented Rice with the community volunteer award at WASI’s quarterly meeting earlier this month.

“Carol is one of the most driven volunteers I have ever worked with. A dynamite fundraiser, a leader, and humble about all of it. She has built, led, and maintained the biggest non- application based organizational fundraising efforts, as well as leading raffles, events, and other aspects of our fundraising process,” WASI CEO Chuck Foster stated in a recent press release.

According to the press release, Rice has been able to raise over $95,000 for WASI through her efforts gaining small business and individual sponsorships for the Lunch Sponsorship program, and Miles for Meals on Wheels event.

“She works really hard,” Munsell said.

Rice has managed to accomplish these feats due to her “fearless and ravenous, though very good natured, pursuit” for community support to local seniors. Despite being retired, Rice comes to WASI to volunteer four or five days a week, every week.

“Even as a retired individual, she’s helping out with fundraising. She’s an amazing woman. She’s 82 and she works harder than any 30-year-old,” Munsell said.

Rice’s duties include being WASI’s Chair of the Senior Ambassadors, a group of seniors that she recruits and trains as representatives who share their voices at Wasilla City Council meetings, community organization meetings, and “anything else where they can build good will, relationships, and knowledge.”

Rice also writes a column for WASI’s monthly Senior Newsletter, celebrating the accomplishments of WASI, of the Senior Ambassadors, and supporting donors.

Rice’s efforts in the community stretch beyond the WASI campus. She’s a long-time Rotarian and supports the Rotary with their local fundraising efforts, including the annual Rotary Uncorked event designed to give out scholarships to local high school graduates and small grants to local nonprofits.

Rice received the Alaska Philanthropy Volunteer award in 2018. She also received the National Community Service Award by the Daughters of the Revolution in 2019.

“She’s highly respected in the community,” Munsell said.

For more information, contact WASI at 907-376-3104, or visit their website at wasillaseniors.com.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com