Kathy Christian says she’s not hard to find if she’s not at home.

“My husband says I live at church or the Hope Center,” said Christian.

It’s because of her willingness to contribute whenever needed that Christian was honored Wednesday as the Volunteer of the Year for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program. She was nominated by Hope Center director Lorie Gretzinger.

“In a few words, she is one of the hardest working volunteers that I have ever seen,” wrote Gretzinger in her nomination letter. “I need a dozen like her but I am blessed beyond measure for the one and only Kathy. I believe if there is a crown in heaven, she will be a jewel right in the middle.”

Christian volunteers for 3.5 hours a week every Thursday at the Hope Center.

She’s done this for three years. Gretzinger says she does a little of everything, from entering data into the computer system to driving people to their appointments.

“She even took possession of someone’s cats while they served jail time,” said Gretzinger.

Christian also makes cookies for inmates as part of a jail ministry program.

When it comes to her church, Centertown United Methodist, Christian is active. According to fellow church member Vandy Lough, she’s always eager to help.

“The church gave away over 200 back-to-school bags in July and she was a very big part of that,” said Lough, who noted Centertown United Methodist is also a big contributor to the annual Operation Christmas Child shoebox collection.

Honoring the Volunteer of the Year was one of the focal points of Wednesday’s annual RSVP banquet. RSVP director Donna Anderson praised the work of all the volunteers and treated them to lunch and dozens of Bingo games that featured a wide selection of fabulous prizes.

Diane Bond was one of the early Bingo winners and she quickly snatched a free six-month subscription to the Southern Standard.