PORT TOWNSEND — Seven people were recognized with Heart of Service Awards on Tuesday, representing the largest number of honorees in the award’s seven-year history.
The Heart of Service Awards are sponsored by the Rotary Club of Port Townsend (noon club), the Port Townsend Sunrise Rotary Club, the East Jefferson Rotary Club and the Peninsula Daily News.
The awards honor the dedication, sacrifice and accomplishments of community leaders and volunteers who have made their communities a better place by doing extraordinary things for their neighbors, their community or the environment.
More than 200 people gathered at the Northwest Maritime Center for the presentation and to cheer the honorees, who were selected by judges from the three Rotary Clubs from a record number of 18 nominees.
The honorees are:
■ Judith Alexander of Port Townsend.
■ Melanie and Steve Bozak of Port Townsend.
■ Bob and Winona Prill of Quilcene.
■ Anne Schneider of Port Townsend.
■ Bill Wise of Port Townsend.
Peninsula Daily News Editor and Publisher John Brewer, who served as master of ceremonies, said the recipients were inspirational in both spirit and deed.
“They are everyday people who have improved our community,” Brewer said.
“They have inspired and engaged others, they get things done.”
To listen to their acceptance speeches, selfless action is second nature.
Said Alexander, the first to be honored: “Being of service is so normal for me that while some of you get out of bed in the morning thinking about that first cup of coffee, what makes my feet hit the floor is something to do with gardening or food projects or other projects.”
The Port Townsend woman was recognized for her leadership in such environmental and community sustainability efforts as Local 20/20, Citizens for Local Food and the Food Resiliency Action Group.
“I’ve been an activist for the last 10 years, but only realized my leadership capacity in the last year or two,” Alexander continued.
“I don’t have the identity of being a leader,” Alexander said.
“I don’t feel more powerful than anyone else, but I feel that all of us have the capacity to be leaders,” she continued.
“It’s in our own communities where we have the most effect.”
In the award nomination for Alexander, Port Townsend City Councilwoman Deborah Stinson wrote: “I have never known anyone more dedicated to constantly learning how to live more lightly on the earth and more deeply in relationship to others.
“She not only walks the walk in her own life but helps others to find their own path.”
The Prills were cited in nomination letters for their “goodness and generosity” and “patient and quiet leadership” with the Quilcene Food Bank, Quilcene Historical Museum, Quilcene Community Center, Quilcene Garden Club, Quilcene Fair and Parade Association, Habitat for Humanity of East Jefferson County and many other organizations.
“We didn’t think we had to say anything here,” Bob Prill said.
“But it’s important to not let this go to our heads.
“We are just ordinary people.
“I don’t know what the motivation is, but we seem to get involved in a lot of things.”
Schneider’s “insight, vision, analytical skills, ability to organize procedures and skill in working harmoniously with others are what make her a true change agent” with nonprofits ranging from the Centrum board of directors and the Port Townsend chapter of the American Association of University Women to Working Image, Northwest Maritime Center and other groups, according to her nomination.
“Anne has the ideas that many of us have, but in addition has the ability to inspire others to help make them real,” said Ned Luce in his introduction.
“Her lasting contributions to this area are now recognized and appreciated.”
Like all the recipients, Schneider passed around the glory.
“It takes a myriad of people, fundraisers and volunteers to make these things happen and I am privileges to know them all,” Schneider said.
“Because volunteers are recognized, new ideas are embraced and long-standing organizations are supported.
“This makes this little corner of the world better to live in and it makes my days more fun.”
The Bozaks are a husband-and-wife duo who operate as a driving force behind the Port Townsend Rhododendron Festival.
The couple also have contributed thousands of volunteer hours to the Jefferson County community through the Port Townsend Kiwanis Club.
“It is safe to say that we may not be having all the elements of the festival, or even the festival itself, if not for their dedication,” said Carla Caldwell in her introduction of the Bozaks,
“We are very humbled to be recognized,” Melanie Bozak said.
“It’s wonderful to be recognized, although it’s more wonderful to do the work.
“That’s the fun part,” she said.
“It’s nice to know that what you do is appreciated by people out in the community,” she added.
“Sometimes we wonder if it’s even noticed.”
Wise is the a hands-on visionary co-founder and chairman of EDC Team Jefferson, the county’s public-private economic development organization, according to his nomination.
Wise down-played his own role in these accomplishments.
“None of this is my doing,” he said.
“It is all of you, and it has been a privilege to work with you all. “
Wise is co-facilitator with Citizens for Local Power, which campaigned to get Proposition 1 on the 2008 ballot.
Voters then overwhelmingly approved the idea of the Jefferson Public Utility District taking over provision of electrical service in East Jefferson County from Puget Sound Energy.
Wise praised the PUD’s takeover of local electrical service, which is expected to be completed next March, saying it will keep $15 million in the county each year instead of customers sending their payments elsewheere.
It has been a blessing to work here,” Wise said.
“This is a community of communities and each one is very different.
“With the PUD campaign and Team Jefferson I have had the opportunity to walk all those communities, and that is truly gratifying.”
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
