The Pat on the Back Award is named to honor Pat Shoemaker and to recognize other individuals who have given extraordinary, but often unsung volunteer time in caring for the community. A “pink lady” volunteer for the Boulder Community Hospital for 28 years, Pat also produced monthly original craft displays for the hospital. Pat was the Boulder Community Hospital Outstanding Volunteer of the Year in 1983 and was honored as the Colorado Auxilian of the year in 1984. She was a homemaker and the mother of two daughters, Linda Shoemaker of Boulder and Judy Miller of Tucson, Arizona.

Potential nominees should embody Pat’s dedication and caring. A $1,000 award will be presented to the honoree to be directed to the nonprofit of his or her choice.

The 2005 Pat on the Back Honoree: Marilyn Tiedke.

Marilyn Tiedke brings life, humor and deep compassion to everyone she encounters.

Says Erin Humphrey of RSVP Boulder County, who nominated Marilyn for the Pat on the Back Award, “Our office lights up every Tuesday morning when Marilyn arrives with coffee, warm bread and “Bless you my sweethearts!” for all of the staff at RSVP, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program.”

Marilyn volunteers six days a week, dividing her time between RSVP and the Humane Society of Boulder Valley. She shops and delivers groceries to homebound seniors, provides car rides and companionship to the isolated elderly, works at the Gift Shop and Training Center at the Humane Society, and answers phones and provides clerical assistance to the RSVP office.

In addition, Marilyn is the first to get involved and devote hours of extra time for RSVP’s yearly events, the Senior Safety Conference, Holiday Fruit Basket delivery, and Volunteer Recognition. Beyond her substantial time commitment Marilyn’s genuine concern for helping the homebound elderly and homeless animals in Boulder County shines the brightest. She shows up before staff meetings to shop grocery orders and often stays longer than any other volunteer delivering food to individual seniors across town. Every new person she meets receives a huge blessing and a stream of caring interest and questions. Marilyn has a knack for connecting with everyone and creating an environment of ease and inclusion through humor and storytelling. Always cracking a joke, her disarming nature and infectious smile bring staff, volunteers, seniors and young people together in a unique and irreplaceable way.

Marilyn moved to Boulder in 1975 from Boston. She spent many years caring for her husband while he was ill, and decided after he passed away that she didn’t want to sit around and be lonely. Soon thereafter, she was out in the community volunteering. “The world needs you. If I can do it; I do it,” Marilyn empathically says.

The Pat on the Back Award recognizes individuals who have given extraordinary, but often unsung volunteer time in caring for the community, and Marilyn Tiedke certainly takes care of our community.

“I love what I do and count my blessings I can do it! It makes me feel good in my heart.”