WCF Vice Chair Receives Volunteer of the Year

Jodi Ritacca was presented with the 2020 Washington County Outstanding Volunteer Award. The award is presented by Community Thread in partnership with the Washington County Board of Commissioners.

Jodi Ritacca was nominated for her skills in leadership, communications, video production, media relations and community outreach skills in support five community organizations: 

•Vice-Chair and soon-to-be Chair of the Woodbury Community Foundation Board of Directors
•Leader Team Chair of Woodbury Thrives
•Member of the Board of Directors and Communications Chair for the League of Women Voters Woodbury Cottage Grove and volunteer with the Minnesota League of Women Voters
•Producer of the monthly cable television interview show Inside Health Care produced by Suburban Community Channels cable television
•Member of the Upper Midwest Emmy Chapter Board of Governors for almost a decade and President of the Board for the last three years. 

Numerous other non-profit and service organizations have also benefited from Jodi’s skills and expertise over the years. 

Jodi had an illustrious career in the news media and health care, being News Director/Anchor/Reporter/Producer at KNOP TV in Nebraska for 13 years, Medical Producer at KSTP TV in Saint Paul for 11 years, Senior Public Relations Specialist/Media Producer at HealthEast Care System in Saint Paul for 11 years. As she moved into semi-retirement, Jodi’s life has been filled with volunteer activities. Yes, she still has a “paying job” as Content Manager for the monthly Mendota Heights Magazine. But, you’re more likely to run into her in one of her official volunteer roles or unofficially just helping out, packing meals at the 5 Million Meals program or attending fundraisers for almost every other non-profit in the Woodbury community.

Jodi is the penultimate example of the selfless community volunteer and is worthy of recognition. 

Those on hand included Sally Anderson and Jennifer Kmecik from Community Thread, Lisa Weik from the Washington County Board of Commissioners, her husband Greg, daughter Christina, three grandchildren, and eight of those who nominated Jodi for the award:  Dick Hanson (WCF), Betsy Stites (League of Women Voters Woodbury Cottage Grove), Simi Patnaik (Woodbury Thrives), Michelle Witte (League of Women Voters Minnesota), Dixie Ewing (WCF), Arlin Becker (Suburban Channel Cable), Roger Green (WCF).