For more than four decades, Luane Jensen of South Jordan has given hundreds of hours annually in service to community organizations, historical societies, and her church. For her commitment to volunteering, Jensen was recently honored with the Power of Service Award by UServeUtah, the State’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism. The award was presented at the Utah State Capitol to Jensen on Sept. 21, 2017.
Jensen was recognized for her outstanding service to the city of South Jordan, where she has lived for more than 44 years. Jensen dedicates approximately 300 service hours to South Jordan City annually and has an even more extensive volunteer history as a dedicated scout leader.
Jensen is a champion of the South Jordan community. Every week she volunteers a minimum of two hours as a museum docent at the Gale Center of History & Culture, which is a favorite field trip for elementary and preschool-aged children. Jensen frequently volunteers extra time to help with field trips and special tour requests in order to teach children more about her hometown.
Jensen is also an appointed volunteer of the South Jordan Historic Preservation Committee and helps advise the City on preservation and historic education. Her areas of concentration include the South Jordan City cemetery and community outreach to veterans.
Jensen was instrumental in advising, coordinating, and fundraising for three completed historic monuments in the city: the veterans’ memorial, the 1938 school bus/train accident tragedy, and the “Birthplace of South Jordan” memorial. For over ten years, Jensen has hand-washed the bronze veterans’ memorial statue in South Jordan City cemetery in time for Memorial Day services. She also coordinates memorial services with the city and with the Veterans of Foreign War each Memorial Day. Currently, she is helping to advise the city on a new memorial featuring South Jordan residents and Utah’s world-champion boxing family, the Fullmers.
Along with her community service, Jensen has dedicated over 35 years as a volunteer Scout leader in South Jordan. Not only has she made a difference mentoring hundreds of young scouts, she has coordinated annual “Scouting for Food” drives with the Utah Food Bank, bringing over 28 tons of food from the South Jordan community.
The Power of Service Award is presented three times per year to a volunteer who shows significant commitment to his or her community and demonstrates the power of volunteer service through his or her activities. All nominees for the Lieutenant Governor’s Volunteer Recognition Certificate are eligible for consideration to receive the Power of Service Award.