Laurie Schafer (left) pictured with Traer Chamber of Commerce past president Donna DeBoef. PHOTO COURTESY OF DONNA DEBOEF

The Traer Chamber of Commerce recently held its Annual Chamber Dinner during which Donna DeBoef presented the 2022 Outstanding Service Award to Laurie Schafer.

Schafer serves the Traer community in countless ways through both her work as the Programming Librarian at the Traer Public Library and as a volunteer.

Traer Public Library work

Schafer is continuously brainstorming and coming up with new and different programs to offer to the community leading several of these programs herself, but often finding experts or those knowledgeable about a subject to share that knowledge.

She currently leads the Fit & Feisty exercise group every Monday and Wednesday. Monthly she leads the Coffee and Crafts class, BINGO, and Table for One, a class on cooking small meals. (She always makes the recipes ahead of time so the attendees can have a taste!) She attends all 3 Book Club Discussions and assists with the Applique Class.

Laurie Schafer as Mrs. Claus rides on a fire truck during the 2021 Traer holiday parade. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON

In the spring and summer, she leads the Down & Dirty Gardening Group, scheduling or leading gardening classes and weekly garden walks through the gardens of local residents.

Schafer also schedules most of the special programs offered every month at the library including informational and educational speakers, author visits, crafting, and cooking classes, and entertainers. She has also served as Children’s Librarian, hosting weekly Story Time and other fun programs for children.

The Traer Library is a busy place, serving young and old in our community, thanks to the wonderful work of Schafer. During the past year, the library welcomed over 5000 people in attendance at programs!

Volunteer work

Schafer also keeps busy as a community volunteer. Families with young children have enjoyed interacting with Schafer, aka Mrs. Claus, over the past several years. She brings Santa along to read stories and greet children at the Traer Library, and together they ride in the Holiday Happenings lighted parade and entertain children at other Holiday Happenings events.

The new 2023 Traer Chamber of Commerce board pictured including (l-r) Lisa Eikamp–President, Madison Snider, Martin Halstead–Vice President, Donna DeBoef–Past President, Kelly Jantzen, Meghan Renslow–secretary/treasurer, and Amber Monat. PHOTO COURTESY OF DONNA DEBOEF

Schafer has served on the North Tama BASIC board for many years. She also helps at their weekly gatherings as a Junior High girls’ small group leader.

She is a member of the Christian Hands Across Traer board, an organization that helps distribute funds to those in need throughout the North Tama School District. Schafer also served on the Traer City Council for several years.

Schafer is an active member of the Traer Lions Club, volunteering to work in the ticket booth at North Tama football games. She also leads a couple of weekly women’s Bible study groups, often hosting the meetings at her home.

The Schafer family currently (and formerly) hosts foreign exchange students which introduces international students to small town living in Traer, Iowa.

The 2023 Traer Chamber of Commerce Board includes Lisa Eikamp as President, Madison Snider, Martin Halstead as Vice President, Donna DeBoef as Past President, Kelly Jantzen, and Meghan Renslow as secretary/treasurer, and Amber Monat.