SEQUIM — Esther Nelson isn’t willing to rest on her laurels after being named Volunteer of the Year by the Association of Visitor Information Centers of Washington.
Nelson was recently recognized for leading the volunteer staff at the Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce’s visitor information center on East Washington Street.
“It makes me want to work harder,” Nelson said Tuesday of the award.
She received a plaque and a crystal clock from the state group, plus a little good-natured ribbing from fellow volunteers.
“Are you going to be in the paper?” a fellow volunteer asked.
“You’re our star,” another said.
Nelson has been a star at the chamber of commerce since starting to volunteer her time working in the office in 1989.
She said it is difficult for her to turn down requests to help out in the office.
“I can’t say no to Jeri Smith (office manager) or Marny Hannan (executive director),” Nelson said.
The admiration is mutual.
“She’s a lady who will do anything to get the job done,” Hannan said. “She has an engaging personality that makes people feel good when they talk to her.”
Nelson has been training visitor center volunteers for a number of years and figures she earned the state honor for rewriting the guidelines for new volunteers.
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