By Diana Henry - bio | email | Twitter | Facebook | Blog
LAKE MILLS (WKOW)-- Each month, WKOW recognizes someone who gives back to their community. It's called the Jefferson Award.
So many people volunteer and many go above and beyond. That's exactly why Sally Kressin is September's Jefferson Award recipient.
Sally Kressin runs a tight ship at the EMS in the small community of Lake Mills.
"She calls a spade a spade," said Donna Hinzmann. "If you are not doing what she wants she will let you know."
Sally has been with the volunteer department since day one. 36 years and counting.
"You don't know how rewarding it is to walk into a store and have someone say, remember me?" said Sally. "I will say lay horizontally and then I will recognize you. They say, gee this happen to me. I'm feeling a lot better, thank you. It's worth it."
Sally was a teacher, but now since she is retired, she can volunteer more of her time.
"I have to volunteer," said Sally. "I'm not a sitter. I can't think of any other job I'd rather do."
Sally has worked her way up the ranks. She's been EMS chief for more than 20 years.
"The place would fall a part if it wasn't for her," said Donna. "She does this job 24/7."
The entire department is volunteer. They have to raise money to upgrade equipment. Sally recently had a special request.
"I said if you don't put a step in the side I quit," said Sally. "I can't get in there anymore. So, they got me a step so they must want me around for a while."
The department will go out on about 700 calls this year. Sally will probably be on about 200 of them. When she's not out on a call. She's doing paper work, schedules or organizing fund raisers.
"Our community is good to us," said Sally. "We appreciate that. We hope we are good to our community."
There is one call Sally hopes to help out on someday.
"I've never delivered a baby," said Sally. "That's the one thing I've never done."
Sally is trained through next year.
