One child. One family. One smile at a time.

The 2007 Citizen of the Year honorees, Tom and Wendy Van Tassell, have worked to improve this corner of the world since joining the Spencer community in 1997 as co-pastors of First Congregational Church.

Going far beyond the scope of their jobs, the Van Tassells have thrown themselves into their adopted community with vigor, giving of their time and talents to an impressive array of programs and projects.

Nominated by Joe and Sue Skow, the Van Tassells have fans young and old, who count their compassion and their passion, as strong attributes to both members of the team.

"Their caring and giving goes beyond something that can be measured in hours or minutes," reads the nomination letter. "They give their talents, their knowledge and their hearts."

Joe Skow expanded on their nomination in reaction to the honor.

"Sue and I couldn't be happier for them. They have been unsung heroes in Spencer for a long time, and would be the last to expect any special recognition," he said. "They have touched so many lives and continue to be amazing contributors to our community."

Parishioners and friends, Dennis and Kay Price, point to the Van Tassell's innate knowledge of when their help is needed.

"We call them our 'pop-up' pastors," said Kay Price. "No matter how serious or minor the situation may be, they always turn up, right there beside you."

The desire to help others began early.

Growing up in suburban Chicago, Wendy Van Tassell was the youngest of the three children of Joe and Jane Greenwood. Both of her parents were active in the community, whether it was leading scout troops, supporting school sports and other activities, or being involved in their church.

Tom, who had one older sister, moved about during his childhood, as his father Howard had a career with General Motors. He graduated from high school in Naperville, Ill.

The couple met while students at Hope College in Holland, Michigan. Both graduated in 1977; Tom with a double major in psychology and religion, and Wendy with a degree in communications. Following their marriage, Tom attended Michigan State University, earning his master's degree in counseling.

Then the family headed west, moving to Los Angeles where Tom was offered a job at the First Congregational Church, working with youth programs. While in California, the couples' two children, Eric and Laura, were born. In addition, Tom began studies to become a minister. The family moved to New Haven, Conn., in 1988, so that he could complete his studies, earning his Master's of Divinity degree from Yale Divinity School in 1990.

The couple made the move to Lansing, Mich. in 1990, where Tom became associate pastor at Plymouth Congregational Church. While the family lived in Lansing, Wendy began commuting to Holland, Mich., to attend the Western Theological Seminary, earning her Master's of Religious Education degree.

Ordained in 1994, she joined the Plymouth Congregational Church, serving as Assistant Pastor.

That's when the invitation came from Iowa.

The Van Tassells, along with their family, came to Spencer in January, 1997 from Lansing. While they loved their Michigan home, they quickly became vital parts of their new community, throwing themselves into volunteer efforts, some in support of their children's interests, and many because they saw a need.

One such organization that received the support and guidance of the Van Tassells has been Positively Spencer Youth.

According to Allison Simpson, chair of the group, the pair have been vital to its success.

"PSY is grateful for the time that Tom and Wendy have given," Simpson said. "They have both been involved in some capacity since the beginning, and their over 20 years of experience working with youth has proven to be an invaluable addition to the coalition."

PSY has been a recent development on the Spencer scene in the past few years. The Van Tassells, however, jumped right in to community projects upon their arrival in Spencer. The couple shared their talents, including their gifts of music and theatre talents.

"Tom and Wendy became involved at SCT almost immediately when they moved to Spencer. Wendy served on the SCT Board of Directors from 1998 to 2005, with a term as president," said Connie Goeken, executive director of Spencer Community Theatre. "They are both wonderful actors and singers, and many of our musicals have benefitted from their talents."

The Van Tassells haven't forgotten those in need of support, both in their physical surroundings and in their emotional and spiritual needs. Wendy Van Tassell has proven her commitment to those less fortunate with years of service to the Northwest Iowa Corridor of Habitat for Humanity. Rev. Scott Meier, president of that group, recounts those contributions.

"Wendy served nine consecutive years on our board, with at least one term as president," he said. "One of her greatest achievements was in the area of fundraising. She spearheaded the 'Opening Hearts and Doors' fundraiser two years ago, at which over $12,000 was raised."

The dinner, silent auction and auction held at the Spencer Golf and Country Club, raised much-needed funding for the organization's goals of creating affordable homes for area families.

"The Northwest Iowa Corridor Chapter of Habitat for Humanity is forever grateful for the great contribution of time and effort put forth by Pastor Wendy Van Tassell," said Meier. "Her enthusiasum and commitment are forever inspirational for those of us on the board. We are so thankful for her fine example of leadership."

Tom Van Tassell has been shepherding patients and their families through the journey in hospice since 1998 in Spencer. As the volunteer spiritual director for the local Hospice of Northwest Iowa group, Van Tassell has been stalwart in his support of the group.

"Tom has been so very loyal to our service. He is so attentive to the spiritual issues of the patients and their families," said Sheryl Thu, director of hospice at Spencer Hospital. "He is very astute and very insightful. If a patient doesn't have a faith home, he welcomes them into his church, or brings him together with a pastor.

"He also watches out for our staff," Thu continued. "He supports them in the difficult work they do."

Thu said Van Tassell acts as a liaison between her organization and local clergy, keeping them informed of programming that may assist them in dealing with the needs of terminally ill and their loved ones. He also works to stay informed, attending statewide hospice meetings.

The annual Service of Remembrance also owes a large debt to Tom Van Tassell, said Thu. He works to put together the service and has himself given the message at the event.

Thu adds that Wendy Van Tassell is also a familiar sight at Spencer Hospital, working tirelessly for the volunteer chaplain program there.

The leadership of both Tom and Wendy extends to their church, and its national organization. Wendy serves as Chair of the Executive Committee of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches, and Tom is preparing to join the board of the Congregational Foundation for Theological Studies.

As parents, Tom and Wendy Van Tassell found themselves, as many parents do, on the sidelines and in the audience as their children participated in sports and the arts at Spencer Community Schools. Both parents threw themselves, characteristically, into supporting those groups.

Tom was a leader in soccer's growth in Spencer, from club teams to his tenure as coach of the Spencer High School squads, both boys and now the high school girls team.

Son Eric reflected on the Van Tassell involvement in the sport in Spencer, beginning with winter games, involving a small group, played late in the evening in a gym at the Y.

"Dad and I started going. This was back when soccer in Spencer was barely heard of," Eric recalled. "It seemed that almost overnight Dad had become a proponent of Spencer's budding soccer program."

When Spencer High School began sponsoring soccer on a trial basis in 1998-99, Tom Van Tassell was at the helm as coach. He remained as head coach throughout all of Eric's high school years. He's been a coach, volunteer, referee and one of its strongest local supporters.

The latest sport to gain Van Tassell's support? Hockey, with Tom heading up to Spirit Lake to assist fledgling skaters up there.

"When I was home for Christmas this year, I was lucky enough to join him and some kids on the ice," Eric said.

Eric and Laura both followed their parents to Hope College. Eric graduated in 2006 with a degree in theatre, and currently lives and works in Chicago, Ill. Laura will graduate in 2009 with a double major in theatre and communications.

While her children were in school, Wendy put countless hours and much energy into support of the Spencer Vocal Music Boosters, serving as president of the organization.

Both involved their children in their passions, and supported their children in their dreams.

"They have made the theatre a family affair," Goeken said of the Van Tassells. "Tom and Wendy's passion for the arts has been passed on to their children. Spencer Community Theatre is richer for their having been a part of it."

Daughter Laura tried to explain her parents' drive to help others: "I think that their love of life, and the joy they get knowing that they can help others is what keeps them volunteering year after year."