Jeff Hajny

    Who says hard work and making contributions won't pay off?
     Leanna and Willard Nagel of Beaver Crossing were recently awarded the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Nebraska Region Volunteer Excellence Award in the Adult category.
     "We based this award on people who have made an outstanding effort to their community, congregation and serving others," Lutheran Community Services Specialist Patty Stradley said. "We want to award people who inspire others and who make an impact on a large scale. The Nagels just kind of stood out with their help with Concordia University and to the assisted living facility."
     "We reviewed people based on their ongoing dedication to volunteerism," Manager of Lutheran Community Services Dennis Engelbart said. "We think they are a great example of this. They are very deserving of the award. The way Seward embraces volunteers is a credit to both the community and to the Nagels."
     The Nagels have been active with the Holy Cross Lutheran Church, working at the veteran's hospital in Lincoln, the Lutheran Women's League, the Beaver Crossing Volunteer Fire Department, Seward Assisted Living, VFW Auxiliary and with the Seward Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.
     "Leanna is known as the congregation of cookies because she brings homemade cookies to all of the get-togethers they attend," Stradley said.
     The Nagels, along with Thrivent Financial Lutheran, have recently been involved with a project to help send Concordia students to Vietnam to teach English to the people out there.
     The Nagels have been working to raise money for these students to make the trip. For every amount they raise, Thrivent Financial will match that total.
     "It's the overall compassion and desire to serve they have that won us over," Englebart said. "They're involved in so many things that it's hard to remember it all. They're always there whenever help is needed."
     Leanna Nagel said they learned they received the award a few months ago and didn't feel like they really did that much.
     "When I heard, it made me humble that they thought of giving me the award," she said. "I still feel like we don't deserve it."
     "Leanna Nagel is a very behind-the-scenes person," Thrivent Financial member Jim Everts said. "She doesn't like to toot her own horn, but this was a pretty big honor so someone has to toot it for her. With the Nagels, their humility is real and that's what matters."
     With the award, Thrivent Financial provided $250 to a charity of the Nagels' choice, which ended up being the Holy Cross Lutheran Church.
     "They said I could donate to any charity I wanted. I asked if I could donate to my church because that's a form of charity. The money could help buy some building materials," Leanna Nagel said.
     The Nagels were selected for the award by members of their congregation. A time and place for a ceremony has not been selected.