DOT Foods recognizes employees’ exceptional volunteerism with Volunteer of the Year award

MOUNT STERLING, Ill. — Dot Foods, Inc. recognized two employees for their dedication at its volunteer of the year ceremony. Parcel Lead Josh Stuckman of Golden was honored for contributions in 2020, and Senior System Support Manager Greg Spohr of Quincy was honored for 2021. 

The ceremony is part of Dot Foods’ Teaming with Local Charities, a key program in the company’s charitable initiative. The award is based on the consistency in which each honoree has incorporated volunteerism, number of years and hours volunteered, engagement outside of TLC or with multiple programs and proven success sharing the volunteer spirit. 

In a press release, Jessica Mock, director of the TLC program said, “Volunteerism is part of Dot’s culture. The TLC program organizes volunteers for local food pantries, numerous community organizations, schools and much more. We were thrilled to bring our volunteer of the year celebration back after a two-year COVID hiatus, because we love recognizing the great contributions our colleagues are making in our communities. Honoring our volunteers also allows us to shine the spotlight on and provide additional support for the organizations they are so passionate about.” 

Dot awarded Stuckman and Sphor each a $1,000 donation to the charity of their choice. Both winners elected to donate to the Meals on Wheels program in Quincy. Dot also gave them a celebratory vacation at RT’s Cove, Dot Foods’ private resort in Osage Beach, Mo. 

Stuckman has worked at Dot for nine years, accruing 542 volunteer hours during that time. He volunteers extensively with Meals on Wheels in Quincy and has a dedicated food delivery route each week. He also helps at Central High School in Golden and area food pantries, and he does the shopping for Horizons Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen in Quincy. Stuckman serves on the volunteer board for the library in Golden and volunteers for the town’s Golden Friends, which helps with work around town that the city doesn’t have resources to cover.

In a press release, Dave McNeff, parcel supervisor and Stuckman’s manager, said, “He is passionate about the activities he helps with and makes them a priority each week. He’s also a wonderful ambassador for the TLC program at Dot for those employees who have questions about getting involved.” 

Spohr, who has worked at Dot for 21 years, started volunteering heavily about 10 years ago. Like Stuckman, he has a weekly route for Meals on Wheels. He also tutors and helps in the classrooms at area elementary schools and volunteers at the YMCA, the Salvation Army and area food pantries. Spohr volunteered 116 hours in 2021 and a 424 hours since joining the TLC program 10 years ago. 

In s press release, Mark Read, senior director of IT and Spohr’s manager said, “I was not surprised at all to hear Greg was being honored. Greg has always been active with the community and TLC. He is passionate about helping others, including his team at Dot, where he is always willing to go the extra mile.” 

More than 180 Dot employees from the Mount Sterling location, along with those in St. Louis, Mo., Burley, Idaho, and Ardmore, Okla., volunteered for a combined 2,705 hours in 2020 and 2,865 hours in 2021 as part of the TLC program. Employees donated nearly $25,400 to local charity organizations via an employee incentives program in 2021. 

The Mount Sterling TLC group reaches into 11 West Central Illinois counties to volunteer with 40 organizations including the Central Illinois Food Bank, the YMCA, the United Way, the Area Agency on Aging, as well as many local schools and community leadership programs. 

At the awards ceremony, Dot also recognized 18 other volunteer of the year finalists and awarded a $250 donation to each to be given to the charity of their choice. The other finalists were Lora Decker, Vanessa Markert, David Koch, Paula Burge, Austin Beard, Aaron Akins, Daphne Ingles, Melanie Geisendorfer, Timothy Crumrine, Stacy Volk, Michelle Bedenbender, James Maas, Amber Elliot and Tana Parsano.