‘She’s bubbly all the time’: Golden Deeds recipient displays empathy, compassion in job at Two Rivers

QUINCY — People in attendance for Friday afternoon’s Golden Deeds luncheon, sponsored by the Quincy Service Club, learned about Janice Weiland’s work as an intake specialist at Two Rivers Regional Council, her activity in her church, the two books she has written and her team-first attitude.

They also assuredly left the Elks Club humming a tune.

Weiland, who lives in Canton, Mo., shared a song she wrote about her parents and their eight children travelling in a station wagon through three states while “singing songs and counting cars.” The refrain went like this:

I like butterscotch, just like my dad
And I like ice cream, the best in the land
And when I’m feeling lonely and my heart is oh so sad
I think about days gone by that I had

Carol Wells, the low-income home energy assistance program coordinator at Two Rivers, said what the audience saw from Weiland for an hour on Friday is what she sees every day.

“She has sung to some clients who come in, and she always offers books and things like that,” Wells said. “She does everything that she can to make people feel welcome, to encourage them. If they’re sad, she is sad, but by time they leave, they’re a lot better. She’s just like that. She’s bubbly all the time.”

The Quincy Service Club honored Weiland’s work during its 73^rd annual banquet. Past Golden Deeds recipients typically have made a positive impact as selfless volunteers or by working tirelessly on behalf of the community.

The award is called the Book of Golden Deeds because letters, written on behalf of the recipient by those who have firsthand knowledge of their efforts, are placed in a book and forever documented.

Cullan Duke, chair of the club’s Golden Deeds committee, said he had not met Weiland before the committee members recently surprised her at Two Rivers to let her know about the award.

“Her immediate response was, ‘It’s a team effort,’” Duke said. “She deflected the attention. I knew in that moment we had chosen another truly deserving honoree.”

The people Weiland meets with at Two Rivers often don’t know where their next meal will come from, much less have the availability to pay medical bills, rent or utilities. In a nomination letter, agency administrator Trista Malone said Weiland consistently demonstrates “an extraordinary ability” to connect with clients personally. 

“Her warm demeanor and genuine empathy immediately put people at ease, creating a welcoming environment that fosters trust and open communication,” Malone wrote. “Clients often express their gratitude for her kindness, and I have personally received numerous compliments about the exceptional quality of care and support she provides.”

“When people come in through the doors (at Two Rivers), they might be experiencing a crisis and just need some resources or assistance to get back on track,” co-worker Laura Dietrich wrote in a nomination letter. “I’ve watched Janice act with compassion, treating individuals with integrity and showing them with her words and actions that their concerns and needs are not going unnoticed.”

While Weiland thrives in giving her clients the attention they need, she showed Friday how uncomfortable she is when the attention is bestowed upon her. As keynote speaker Erik Dolieslager let the audience know of the praise and love heaped upon her by co-workers, Weiland fidgeted in her seat.

“The week was a very hard week for everybody, because she kept saying, ‘People deserve this more than me. I don’t deserve this,’” Wells said. “She says we’re a team. She doesn’t like the spotlight on her. She likes to do her job, but she does not want recognition for it.”

“Today is hard because like my husband’s always saying, we always put other people first,” Weiland said,. “That’s always been in our hearts. Putting other people first and helping others is just part of who we are. We’re always on the giving side. It’s hard to be on the receiving side of that. I’ve never had anything like this. It’s just very special.”