For some, giving their time and effort to others in need is not an option - it's just what they do.

One example is Jessica Hatsfelt, a Gulf Power Transmission analyst, who was named the 2011 Fundraising Volunteer of the Year for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Florida.

"She was nominated because of her support of each of the Ronald McDonald House's major fundraisers and other third-party events," said Angie Hanson, Development director for Ronald McDonald House. "Jessica participates on our planning committees for each of our events and helps recruit sponsors, participants and volunteers."

Some of the events that she supported during the year for Ronald McDonald House included Kaps for Kids, the Firecracker 5K and the Fire Truck Pull.

"She volunteers at each fundraiser and is one of the volunteers who we know we can count on to handle anything," Hanson said. "Her positive attitude and willingness to help are truly invaluable to the Ronald McDonald House." This is the second time Hatsfelt has been recognized by the local chapter of Ronald McDonald House. In 2009 she was named Volunteer of the Year.

She has been volunteering with Ronald McDonald House Charities for about seven years and got involved when one of her neighbors won a playhouse that Ronald McDonald House had auctioned off as part of a fundraiser.

"My neighbor didn't have kids so I suggested she donate it to Transformers for them to auction off again for Ronald McDonald House," Hatsfelt said. "We collected $1,000 in raffle tickets. That's when I learned about their mission and I just got hooked."

According to the Ronald McDonald Charities website, the program provides a "home-away-from-home" for families so they can stay close by their hospitalized child. There are 310 Ronald McDonald Houses that serve 8,000 families each day around the world, saving them more than $257 million a year in hotel costs.

"I guess I'm kind of a caretaker type of person and Ronald McDonald House gives families with children who are facing life-threatening illnesses or have been in a horrible accident a place to go," she said. "It puts them in a place where there are other people in similar circumstances who are going to give you a hug on your bad days and on your good days. It really appeals to me."

Hatsfelt also is a member of the Krewe du YaYas, a Mardi Gras fundraising organization that supports breast cancer awareness and research, serves on the board of Achilles Divers, a new non-profit that helps disabled individuals learn to scuba dive and has volunteered for the American Cancer Society for the Making Strides walk.

"I feel blessed every time I walk in the door of the Ronald McDonald House," she said. "And, I feel that those of us who are blessed are expected to do this; it's how it works."

2011 Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year
2010 Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year