Jamestown  (CSi)  A Jamestown resident was awarded the Freedom Resource Center for Independent Living, Volunteer of the Year Award at the May 9 Appreciation Luncheon in Fargo.

On Thursday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2  Beth Dewald from the Jamestown office said that Jamestown’s Mary Smith received the recognition as Volunteer of the Year.

Beth said, at the luncheon, their amazing volunteers were honored, people who stand up for disability rights, and employers who are supporters of employing people with disabilities.

Mary is also President of the Jamestown Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities, that meets monthly with community members, including business owners, concerning disability access, and hiring individuals with disabilities.

She said her volunteer efforts stem from being a part of the Jamestown Community, and calls attention to the physical aspects of buildings and businesses as she is gets around in a wheelchair, with additional assistance by individuals.

Beth said that Freedom Resource Center for Independent Living in Jamestown, among other services, addresses accessibility issues, with businesses and industries and partners with agencies concerning employment opportunities and with individuals referring them to agencies to help them stay in their homes, along with such topics as finding a place to live, learning how to manage money, looking at job or educational possibilities, and dealing with discrimination and bureaucracy.

She added that they serve a wide area, in Southeast North Dakota, and West Central Minnesota.

The Jamestown phone number is 701-252-4693, toll free, 1-800-450-0459.

On line: www.freedomrc.org

While receiving state and federal funding, the organization also depends on donations from the community.