Schemmer’s Loras Klostermann, P.E., Volunteer of the Year for Komen Great Plains

SCHEMMER'S Loras Klostermann, P.E., and his wife Janet were surprised by the presentation of the Volunteer of the Year award! Karen Daneu, Chief Executive Officer of Komen Great Plains, presented the award on stage immediately before the start of the Race for the Cure on Sunday, October 8, 2017. Klostermann was already at the stage to make sure the starting gun was there and to let the on-air personalities know when the course was clear and the race could actually begin. "It was a complete surprise when Karen called Janet and me on stage for the presentation," Klostermann said.

The Klostermann's began volunteering for Komen in 2013 after their daughter passed away from another form of cancer. After assisting with the race when it was held at the Century Link Center, the Klostermann's were instrumental in moving it from downtown Omaha to Aksarben Village and Baxter Arena in 2015. The Race for the Cure was the first public event held at Baxter. The Klostermann's were volunteer co-chairs of the race for two years and Klostermann took over management of outdoor operations in 2014. Janet had previously been focused on activities inside Baxter arena, but was instrumental in setting up available outdoor activities at Stinson Park and started the annual Kids Dash. Klostermann has remained focused on outdoor activities for the race that include meetings with Omaha Police Department, Omaha Running Club, UNO Safety, UNO Baxter Arena, Aksarben Village Property Management (Noddle), Komen Great Plains, Omaha Public Works, Elmwood Golf Course, vendors, equipment suppliers and many other entities that are affected by and contribute to the race each year.

"With all of the great volunteers helping us out each year, this is not hard to accomplish. I again wish to thank all of the volunteers working for months before the race, working hard on Saturday afternoon for staging of materials, to all of the those working from 3:00 am to noon for setup and cleanup of the race, and for all of the 8,000 participants who enjoyed a run or leisurely stroll through the vibrant Aksarben Village/UNO complex and Elmwood Park in support of Komen Great Plains," states Klostermann.