Hospice of the Conejo, a local volunteer, nonmedical hospice, recently received a donation of $1,600 through the efforts of Thousand Oaks resident Don Bielke along with a matching grant from Thrivent.

For several years Bielke and other volunteers have operated a booth at the annual Scandinavian Festival, serving "Viking sandwiches" made of grilled potatoes, sausages and onions.

This year Bielke was recognized for his volunteer efforts and given a portion of the booth's proceeds to donate to the charity of his choice, Hospice of the Conejo.

Bielke is active in the Thousand Oaks Kiwanis Club and is a member of Ascension Lutheran Church. He was a former basketball coach at California Lutheran University.