PORT ANGELES — Soroptimist International of the Americas-Port Angeles Jet Set has honored seven Port Angeles residents as Women of Distinction.
Val Brooks, Jennifer Petty, Earline Bourm, Gail Frick, Betsy Matthews, Cindy Sofie and Mardell Xavier are the Jet Set Club’s 2016 Women of Distinction.
Awards were announced at a March 17 breakfast at the Port Angeles Senior & Community Center.
The Jet Set group honors women who act as role models for other women through their achievements.
Brooks, Petty
Brooks and Petty were honored for their work with the Clallam County Court Appointed Special Advocate Program (CASA).
Brooks and Petty, considered by some the “Batman and Robin” for children’s rights, wellness and health in Clallam County, have worked for Juvenile and Family Services since the 1990s — 1996 for Brooks and 1997 for Petty, the Soroptimists said.
They worked as on-call juvenile corrections officers in the beginning of their careers.
“Together, they have forged relationships with every agency that benefits and helps children in Clallam County,” the Soroptimists said.
In 2012, they began the Kicks for Kids Shoe Drive to coincide with Clallam County’s first National Adoption Day.
The aim of the drive, which has become an annual event, is to put a pair of shoes on every foster child in Clallam County.
They coordinated with the Roughnecks Motorcycle Club, a group whose members provide support for children while in court.
“A child does not have to face their abuser alone when a Roughneck is in court,” said Danetta Rutten in her nomination of the duo.
Bourm
Bourm has volunteered with Bloodworks Northwest since July 1, 1997.
She has organized blood drives and is trained as a registration volunteer, donor monitor and an Airport Blood runner, having worked at blood drives in Port Angeles, Forks and the Sequim area, as well as at Crescent High School in Joyce.
In the past five years, Bourm has worked 157 shifts, the Soroptimists said, adding that because the shifts are usually six hours plus travel time, this totals about 942 volunteer hours.
Volunteer services coordinator Cecilia said Bourm “has become a mainstay in our organization and a good friend as well.”
Frick
Frick has participated in the American Hero Quilts organization for the past five years along with a local group of quilters associated with an organized group on Vashon Island.
The American Hero Quilts organization was established in 2004 to provide appreciation for wounded service members who served in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
“Each quilt is a metaphoric hug and a way to express gratitude for their service to our country,” the Soroptimists said.
As of the first of this year, more than 21,500 quilts have been provided, the Soroptimists said.
Frick has donated 30 of her own quilts and is the official quilter for others.
Some 115 quilts have been donated from quilters in the Port Angeles area this past year.
“I would like to recognize Gail as a Woman of Distinction for the generous donation of her time, talent and passion for quilting to this organization and the men and women most deserving of these hugs,” Jill Oakes said in her nomination of Frick.
Matthews
Matthews has volunteered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula since 1998.
She is currently co-chair of the Port Angeles Unit Advisory Board and is a former corporate board member.
She organizes fundraisers for the clubs and solicits donations.
Most recently, she focused on a new facility for the Port Angeles unit by helping to organize informational gatherings to garner community support.
She also secured a spot at the sprint boat races and baked cookies, scooped ice cream and sold drinks to raise funds for the Port Angeles unit.
Matthews is owner of Airport Garden and donates landscaping materials and crew work to the Port Angeles unit’s exterior.
Sofie
Throughout the past 15 years, Sofie has worked in Peninsula International Relations Association (PIRA), the Sister City organization in Port Angeles.
PIRA and its sister organization, Mutsu City International Relations Association (MIRA), work to build relationships between the communities, particularly the youth, of Mutsu City, Japan, and Port Angeles.
“Cindy continually demonstrates her unwavering drive, compassion and commitment toward our goal of providing international personal exchange opportunities for people of all ages,” said Tad Price, president of PIRA.
Xavier
Xavier was honored as a Woman of Distinction for her years of service to the Alzheimer’s Association.
She has served as the facilitator of the monthly Port Angeles Caregivers Support Group meetings in Port Angeles since 2003.
She joined the Alzheimer’s support group in 1999 while serving as caretaker for her mother.
“Mardell brings a wealth of facilitation and leadership skills to her position,” Martha Hurd said in her nomination.
“Her years of work in human resources has provided extensive background in dealing with all sorts of people and their unique situations.
“She does it with grace, kindness, compassion, knowledge and a sense of humor.”
Xavier has also served on various committees, including the team that has put on the annual caregiver conferences on the Peninsula, and has been a speaker at the annual Washington state Alzheimer’s conference in Seattle.
She has been recognized as the Facilitator of the Year by the Washington state chapter.
