Audio-Reader recognizes volunteers’ generosity and anniversary milestones at annual appreciation banquet

Over one hundred volunteers stand together smiling at Maceli's and looking up at the camera.

Audio-Reader volunteers at the April 14 Appreciation Banquet.

Tue, 04/21/2026

Martha Helen Kehr

Lawrence – April marks volunteer appreciation month, and Audio-Reader celebrated with their annual Volunteer Appreciation Banquet. Gathering at Maceli’s on Tuesday, April 14, Audio-Reader’s staff had the honor of recognizing the spirit of community shared by Audio-Reader volunteers.

“The evening celebrates our dedicated volunteers whose skills and efforts make this service possible for thousands of listeners across Kansas, western Missouri, and beyond – volunteer voices reach across miles to provide connection, independence, and enjoyment,” said Trish Dowd Kelne, Audio-Reader’s Coordinator of Volunteers.

The evening’s guest speaker, Kathy Dawson, has been listening to Audio-Reader since 1975. As a long-time listener, she spoke about the impact Audio-Reader volunteers have had on her throughout the decades. Her primary interest is in the daily news, keeping up with newspapers from across the region each day. Kathy also mentioned that she is a KU sports fan and shared her appreciation for Audio-Reader and KPR’s connection to KU Athletics and the excellent game coverage available over the radio. Gratitude poured from her as she thanked the volunteers for their time and commitment to helping listeners like her live a thriving and independent life.

After a delicious dinner made and served by Maceli’s staff, the following volunteers were recognized for milestone years of service with Audio-Reader:

Celebrating 35 years – Randy Austin, Carol Jones, Kimberly Morrow, and Kris Shields.
Celebrating 30 years - Pat Ashley-Hiscock.
Celebrating 25 years – Cindy Koester, Cindy Penzler, Kathy Sanders, and Jane Tedder.
Celebrating 20 years - Merilee Dymacek, David Dunford, Marilyn Epp, Thomas Howe, Cal Karlin, Mike Lewis, and Ron Scoles.
Celebrating 15 years – Pamela Baughman, Anne Burgess, Karen DeVictor, Mark Hutchins, and James Powers.
Celebrating 10 years - Christy Allie, Lisa Beck, Charles Higginson, Jim Huber, Karen Puckett, Roberta Renz, Kay Rute, Linda Thompson, Jeff Vincent, and Julie Whistman.
Celebrating 5 years – Martha Breckenridge, Michael Brewer, Byron Buckner, Linda Cleveland, Jan Dean, Marcella Huggard, Rosemarie Onwukwe, David Schauner, Michael Schopper, Paul Sullivan, Kelly Sundbye, Robin Ward, and Stacie Wells.

The finale of the evening was hearing comments from Audio-Reader listeners which can be read on the website https://reader.ku.edu/listener-comments. Hearing from listeners is a major highlight of the banquet because volunteers love to hear how much impact their work has in the community.

For 54 years and counting, Audio-Reader has been fostering independence by providing access to information and the arts for people who have difficulty reading standard print due to vision loss, physical or learning disability, mobility challenges, and age. Learn more at reader.ku.edu or call (800) 772-8898.

Collage of 8 images with volunteers recognized for milestone years of services are pictured with Feloniz Lovato-Winston (Director of Audio-Reader and KPR) and a banner marking their years of service.

Volunteers recognized for milestone years of services are pictured with Feloniz Lovato-Winston (Director of Audio-Reader and KPR) and a banner marking their years of service. Photo Credits to Meredith Johanning

Kathy wears a light blue shirt and has short grey hair, Frank wears glasses and a dark blue patterned polo shirt and sits with his arm around the back of Kathy's chair; Trish stands behind them smiling.

Guest Speaker, Kathy Dawson (left, front), Trish Dowd-Kelne (Volunteer Coordinator, center, back), and Frank Ybarra (Advisory Board Member, right, front). Photo credit to Meredith Johanning

Staff, volunteers, and guests smile for the final group picture. Photo credit to Neil Sharma

Left to right: KU Student Interns Jacob Morton and Neil Sharma with Audio-Reader staff members Trish Dowd Kelne, Martha Kehr, and Colin Halliburton

Left to right: KU Student Interns Jacob Morton and Neil Sharma with Audio-Reader staff members Trish Dowd Kelne, Martha Kehr, and Colin Halliburton. Photo credit to Olivia Goodwin

Randy wears a black button up shirt under a patterned suit coat.

Randy Austin (35-year Volunteer, Advisory Board Chair) at podium presenting to the event crowd. Photo credit to Olivia Goodwin

Audio-Reader program manager Nick Carswell presenting listener comments to attendees. Photo credit to Olivia Goodwin

Beth McKenzie, Sandy Praeger, Mark Praeger, Ed Austin, Randy Austin, Billie Archer, Meredith Johanning, Ingrid Logan, and Wade Logan

Left to right: Beth McKenzie, Sandy Praeger, Mark Praeger, Ed Austin, Randy Austin, Billie Archer, Meredith Johanning, Ingrid Logan, and Wade Logan. Photo credit to Olivia Goodwin

A collage of nine images taken at the event of volunteers, guests, and friends of Audio-Reader at Maceli’s on April 14, 2026. Photo credit to Meredith Johanning, Olivia Goodwin, and Neil Sharma.