Jan Bublitz was nominated by Volunteer Whanganui for Volunteer of the Month … "firstly for her work for Creative Space as treasurer, to now in her current role as chairperson for Special Olympics Whanganui."
She also volunteers for CCS Disability and whatever time is left is taken up volunteering at night and on weekends as a Special Olympics volunteer.
Elizabeth Sanson of Volunteer Whanganui presented Jan with a certificate, a lapel badge and a $40 voucher supplied by Mud Ducks café.
Although no longer treasurer for Creative Space, Jan still takes clients along to immerse them in art and creativity there.
"I've seen people blossom."
Jan was born in Stratford, raised in Taupo and travelled a lot with her work as a hotel manager for Lion Breweries. "I was one of the first women to take on the management role."
She left there, went to Europe, married and raised a family in the Netherlands. "I spent 25 years away."
While there she taught English to students falling behind and developed a new curriculum to facilitate that work.
When her marriage ended she came home and started over again.
"I went back to school in my 50s and completed a Bachelor of Social Services through the Wananga in Tauranga. I loved the education process and the challenges it presented, and loved the outcomes I could see were possible with a bicultural education. It has stood me in good stead since."