Ashley Burkhartsmeier/PCT Jim and Sheryl Cameron, of Rugby, were named Volunteers of the Month for the month of December.

The Rugby Chamber of Commerce named Jim & Sheryl Cameron, of Rugby, and Project Joy as the December and November Volunteers of the Month, respectively.

“We try to set an example for our children, and we think community service is important,” Sheryl said.

Rugby Lions Club member Judy Jelsing, who along with Lila Harstad has been involved with Project Joy for a decade, said: “It’s quite an honor. I was very surprised, there’s a lot of deserving people out there.”

The Camerons have been involved in the community in various ways, including Relay for Life, Village Arts, the Lyric Theater, and for the last two years they have played Mr. & Mrs. Claus at the Prairie Village Museum dinners. In the past they have also served on music and sports booster clubs at Rugby High School, and Jim has coached baseball.

Sheryl said they also want to get more involved with the Pierce County Fair and the Pierce County Food Pantry.

Project Joy is one of the Lions Club’s largest projects. The Lions receive a list of families in need and put a number, which corresponds to their names, on a tag, which in turn goes on Christmas trees at Hardware Hank, Borth’s and Shopko. Area shoppers then pick the tags, buy the needed gifts, which the Lions then collect and organize. The Lions provide tape and wrapping paper so the families can wrap their presents.

See the Lions Club story on Page 2 to find out how successful this year’s Project Joy was.