For Hub City Times

MARSHFIELD — The seventh annual Anne and Bette Adler Community Service Award was recently given to Al Nystrom in recognition for his work with Rotary Winter Wonderland, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Our Lady of Peace Church finance council, Noon Rotary, United Way, Mike’s Run, and the Marshfield Clinic Health System Foundation.

The Marshfield Area Community Foundation established the annual Anne Adler Community Service Award in 2010 to honor Anne Adler and her dedication to the foundation. Last August Bette Adler passed, and it was decided to honor both of the Adler sisters for their work with this award. The award is given to someone who significantly contributes to the quality of life in the Marshfield area.

Nystrom was nominated for the award by Bill Heiting, who said, “In my mind the reason we have Winter Wonderland lights is that Al researched the project in La Crosse, brought back those ideas, and spearheaded our lights.”

Ed Englehart said, “When I served as Parks and Recreation director, I was able to see firsthand how critical Al’s involvement to the Rotary Lights project’s success was and continues to be. He was the key to the establishment of Mike’s Run that helps raise funds and community awareness of mental health needs. Al continues to be a leader in both these very successful community events and I feel is a great example of the type of people this award was established to recognize.”

Graham Olson supported Nystrom’s nomination, saying, “I’ve known Al since, as a youngster, his dad coached him in our little league program too many years ago to count now. I’ve enjoyed watching him grow and mature over the years into an outstanding leader in the community, always an outstanding example for others to follow without fanfare and ‘hoopla.’ Al exemplifies the character and leadership qualities we are looking for as an Adler Volunteer of the Year. I heartily endorse his nomination and feel we need look no further for our outstanding candidate. We need to award this nomination to a local lad who pays it back to his community. It does not get much better than that.”

Rikki Starich said, “I am honored to work with Al in multiple capacities in his work improving our community. As an employee of Marshfield Clinic Health System Foundation, I have seen the difference he makes for our patients while serving on our board of directors. I also am grateful to work side-by-side with him as a board member for Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Wood County, where we are constantly working to make Marshfield a better place for children in need. Through his work with BBBS, he has become an amazing advocate for one-on-one mentoring and truly believes that having a positive role model can change the world for a child. Al’s own service as a Big as well as his leadership and commitment on the board is a testament to that belief. I know personally that Marshfield is a better place because of Al’s dedication to this community.”