Janne and Jane: A Mother Daughter Volunteer Team
Nominated by Katherine Majkrzak
Janne Charbonneau is a high achiever who inspires all of us with her love for family and an incredible memory for names, events and places. She was the first person with
a developmental disability to be hired for a clerical job in Anoka County. This was over 20 years ago, and she still holds that same job today. We celebrated with Janne
several years ago when she won a Silver Medal for roller skating in the National Special Olympics. Janne sings with the choir, Merry Music Makers, and volunteers to
help others have the same opportunities that have made her own life so rewarding.
The woman behind Janne's success is her mother, Jane Harris, who is the cherished matriarch of her immediate and extended family. She has become an honorary
adopted mother of many people whose lives she has touched. Jane is quoted as saying: "Many people don't have anyone to go to bat for them, so those of us who can
do it, must do it." Jane has taken this pledge very seriously in advocating for people with developmental disabilities. Jane not only goes to bat for those who
need help, she brings them to the plate, puts their hands on the bat, and teaches them how to knock the ball out of the ballpark.
When Janne was a little girl, Jane made sure that her daughter was given the opportunity to do the most with the abilities she had. When school administrators
failed to have the imagination to deliver an educational environment that would foster development of vital life skills, Jane stood up for her daughter and
made sure she got the education she was entitled to get. She gave Janne the encouragement to become the wonderful adult that she is today and never let
her give up or make excuses when the challenges got tough. It was Jane, and other like minded parents, who helped change the culture over many decades into
a world where each child's unique abilities are encouraged to blossom.
Now, both Jane and Janne inspire others to help people with developmental disabilities live full lives and give back to their communities. They have both enjoyed
the many volunteer hours they have given to organizations such as Arc, PALS and TSE. PALs is a group that provides social gatherings and events for adults with
developmental disabilities. Jane led this organization to provide more age appropriate entertainment and social activities for these adults. Another organization, TSE,
encourages independent living by enriching lives of people with disabilities through employment and community connections. Jane has taught the strength of
volunteering to the clients who receive benefits from these organizations. She and Janne have provided the example of how volunteering enriches your own life and
that everyone can help others-no matter what a person's abilities.
We celebrated Jane's 80th birthday a couple of years ago, and she still has more energy and vigor to volunteer than two 40 year olds combined. Jane has led in
organizing events such as fashion shows and silent auctions. In fact, whenever there is a silent auction basket to make for a fundraiser, Jane is your "go-to" gal
to make a beautiful package that is sure to bring in a great donation for any organization. Over the many years, Jane has put together thousands of imaginative
gift baskets.
To be sure, life for both Jane and Janne has not always been a beautiful gift basket. They have both experienced the losses and heartache that life sometimes brings.
But it is the way both of them have handled these challenges that truly inspires all the people who know and love them.
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Tell Kathryn who has inspired you!
Just fill out the nomination form.
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