Four community heroes will be honored May 17 with the Jefferson County Heart of Service award for 2011.
The Heart of Service honors the “dedication, sacrifice and accomplishments” of community leaders and volunteers “who have made a difference in Jefferson County, who have made our communities a better place by doing extraordinary things for their neighbors, their community or the environment.”
This year’s recipients are:
■ Nora Porter of Port Townsend, for a lifetime of vast and tireless service in Jefferson County.
She has been a passionate and fiery board member for Habitat for Humanity of East Jefferson County and outspoken supporter of many other causes, from the Port Townsend Foundation and Port Townsend High School Scholarship Foundation (both of which she helped create) to being a member of the Port Townsend School Board to longtime service on the Fort Worden Advisory Board.
“Nora Porter lives by the philosophy that ‘you can accomplish all kinds of things if you don’t care who gets the credit,’” wrote Jamie Maciejewski, executive director of the East Jefferson Habitat for Humanity, in a letter nominating Porter for the Heart of Service.
“She has spent a lifetime working to accomplish things in that matter. We believe it is time for Nora Porter to ‘get the credit.’”
■ Joe Carey, hands-on commander of American Legion Post 29 in Port Townsend.
He was a leader of efforts (and repairs) that allowed the legion building to be used as a winter homeless shelter and by the JC MASH free medical clinic.
He also led a campaign that resulted in construction of the new Scout House in the American Legion Park.
“He is the major reason that the post has become a real force for good in the community . . . a wonderful example of great citizenship and civic engagement,” said Ken Long of Port Townsend, one of three people who nominated Carey.
“He quietly has delivered free firewood to needy people . . . gives hours upon hours cleaning debris from the park, preparing spaghetti dinner fundraisers, Easter egg rolls for kids, raffles to raise funds to fix the Marvin Shields Memorial [at the post].”
■ Deborah Stinson of Port Townsend, the driving force behind many environmental and community sustainability efforts through the Local Investing Opportunities Network, EarthDay EveryDay, Local 20/20, Climate Action Committee, Jefferson County Neighborhood Emergency Preparedness Groups and the Quimper Mercantile Group.
Her Heart of Service nomination by Kees Kolff, former Port Townsend mayor, was accompanied by a thick stack of letters of support including one from Michelle Sandoval, the current mayor.
Danille Turissini of Port Ludlow, program director and co-founder of the Peninsula-wide PEAK leadership program, wrote:
“Deb is the epitome of servant leadership, always inclusive, ever gracious and genuine in the giving of her soul.
“Her ‘heart of service’ should serve as an inspiration to us all.”
■ Myron Vogt of Port Ludlow, one of the founders of the Boeing Bluebills, a retiree group composed of former Boeing workers known for their community work, especially on behalf of the elderly and disabled.
Vogt also works with almost a dozen senior agencies and community organizations in a partnership to serve those in need — “not only is Myron involved with the agencies and organizations, but he coordinates all the projects that are referred to him,” wrote Donna Jones of Catholic Community Services.
She described him as “visionary . . . a man of many skills.”
“In the last 14 years, Myron has spent thousands of hours assisting hundreds of people in various ways by building, repairing, delivering or promoting any program he can think up to enhance the lives of all who live in Jefferson County,” Jones wrote.
This is the sixth year for the Heart of Service award, sponsored by the Peninsula Daily News, the Rotary Club of Port Townsend (noon club), the Port Townsend Sunrise Rotary Club and the East Jefferson Rotary Club.
A judging committee selected the four Heart of Service recipients from nominations made by individuals, clubs, churches, businesses and other organizations.
“These four are truly local heroes, working to make community life stronger, tighter, happier, richer,” said John Brewer, PDN editor and publisher.
“They represent the backbone of the community — busy people who always seem to be able to make time to offer a hand or a shoulder.
“And they may be people whose names many residents don’t know.
“They don’t give to our communities because they expect either reward or recognition.”
The four will receive framed award certificates and heart-shaped medals designed by Steve Rafoth, president and CEO of Enclume Design Products in Port Hadlock and past president of the Rotary noon club.
