After more than 11 years at the helm of Community Thread in Stillwater, Sally Anderson is stepping down. Anderson, 69, of Hudson, Wis, plans to retire on Dec. 20. She is only the fourth executive director to lead the nonprofit organization since it was formed in 1972. Sally Anderson (Courtesy of Community Thread) Community Thread helps older adults, particularly those who desire to age in place, and supports volunteers. Anderson said she is especially proud of her work on the organization’s Thrive program, which is designed to support older and disabled adults with living independently. “It puts all our services under one umbrella,” she said. “It’s the things that keep people connected and socially engaged and living independently.” During her tenure, she also helped develop new volunteer initiatives and oversaw capital improvement projects. In 2018, she helped launch the Connector Bus Loop service to provide local transportation options. Anderson was a “visionary leader” who was committed to “keeping Community Thread’s mission of engaging volunteers to improve quality of life in our community at the forefront of her decisions,” said Ted Wegleitner, board president. “We are well positioned for future success thanks to her dedication.” Prior to joining Community Thread, Anderson served as interim and associate executive director at Valley Outreach, the food shelf in Stillwater. During her more than 30 years in the nonprofit sector, she started Achieve, a nonprofit mental-health clinic in Wausau, Wis., and managed programs serving aging and disabled populations. Anderson, who serves on the board of Valley Community Center, a grassroots effort to bring a recreational center to the area, has no particular retirement plans, she said. “I want to get to know the Hudson community and maybe volunteer and get connected over there,” she said. “I’ve lived in Hudson since 2008, but I’ve worked in Stillwater.” The board expects to name Anderson’s successor by the end of the year, she said.Related Articles Local News | Bayport asks: What’s with all the train horns?  Local News | Stillwater sophomore goes into cardiac arrest during football practice; family raises money for CPR training Local News | If it’s Oct. 4, it must be Cinnamon Bun Day in Scandia Local News | Scandia Historic Homes Tour features original Swedish settler’s log cabin Local News | Liberty Classical Academy sues May Township over blocked expansion plans