Chamber Celebrates Volunteer of the Year, Remembers Matt Luecking
The Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce paid tribute to past member and volunteer, Matt Luecking, while celebrating the 2018 Volunteer of the Year.
During the Chamber’s Holiday Open House and Volunteer Appreciation event on Tuesday Chamber Board of Directors Chairman Keith Carter announced JOINK Sales Representative Karla Noorlag as the 2018 Volunteer of the Year. The award was presented in memory of past Chamber member Matt Luecking, who died in 2016.
“Over the years the Chamber has been lucky to have a strong group of Ambassadors, board members, First Friday volunteers and more. One that stands out, and which this award is presented in memory of is Matt Luecking,” Carter said during the presentation. “Many of you remember Matt as a supporter of the Chamber and local business, a radio host and Chamber member with his DJ service and an employee of Terre Haute Savings Bank. As we move into presenting an annual ‘Volunteer of the Year’ we will also remember Matt during this time.”
The Chamber staff cheered for Noorlag as photos of her scrolled on a screen in the Chamber boardroom. Noorlag can be seen in many photos dressed in costume or volunteering at an event. She is also a dependable volunteer for the Chamber’s ribbon cuttings and First Friday events downtown.
And it’s not just with the Chamber that Noorlag gives of her time. She’s involved with her church, a member of the Swope Art Museum Board of Directors, cook for Culinary Queens and more. She’s wife to husband Rick and mother to daughter Molly and son Daniel, both of which attend Purdue University.
“There are plenty of reasons why I like working with Karla,” says Joink Vice President of Operations Jackie McDonald. “When she started she was the ‘loan ranger’ of sales. She’s transparent and honest, she is always willing to help, seeks to include others, is always willing to try a new process – and always has a smile on her face and an infectious laugh.”
Luecking’s brother, Eric, who could not attend Tuesday’s event as he was attending a holiday performance for his children, sent along his congratulations and praise of the award and Noorlag.
“I would like to personally extend my congratulations to Karla as well as a heartfelt thank you to the Terre Haute Chamber Of Commerce for attaching Matt Luecking’s name to the Volunteer Of Th piece, he stated, ‘We’re all in this together, and I really want to see business thrive in Terre Haute,’ highlighting his commitment to the community. During his membership with the organization, he would tell me about events he attended or were upcoming such as ribbon cuttings, restaurant openings, and so much more… While the accomplishments of 2018 are to be celebrated, let’s also prepare ourselves for a new year that is just around the corner awaiting with its own set of challenges. 2019 will be ripe with opportunities to encourage prosperity. Growth and progress, although measurable, aren’t firm benchmarks. They are ideals constantly moving forward. Continue to be a torchbearer for them, and you will see Terre Haute flourish due to your passion, your actions, and your enduring commitment to excellence.”
