Sterling service: Six Jefferson County heroes to be honored

PORT TOWNSEND — Six volunteers — one of them a teen — will be honored with the Jefferson County Heart of Service award for 2017 at a noon luncheon Tuesday.

The luncheon, which is open to the public, will be at Fort Worden Commons. Sponsoring Rotary Clubs will purchase lunch for each honoree and his or her guest. Others can purchase lunch at the commons.

The volunteer contributions of a Port Townsend High School student will be recognized along with those of five adults.

They will receive framed award certificates honoring 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 is the 12th 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.

“The class of honorees this year truly represents everything this award is intended to recognize,” said Terry R. Ward, publisher of the PDN.

“These outstanding community-minded individuals possess hearts of service and an honest desire to make a difference in the community.

“Jefferson County is indeed a better place because of each of their efforts.”

Honorees

The youth honoree is:

• Milo Rolland, a Port Townsend High School student who was nominated by members of the school’s Interact Club for his continued service through his high school career.

The adult honorees are:

• Henry “Hank” Hazen of Nordland, for tireless longtime service to the elderly, disabled and low-income through the Ecumenical Christian Helping Hands Organization (ECHHO), and several volunteer efforts on Marrowstone Island.

• Marla Overman of Port Townsend, for her unflagging volunteer work with The Boiler Room.

• Zeremy “Jack” Randall of Port Ludlow, for his work in founding the Olympic Peninsula chapter of the Boeing Bluebills and Citizens for Safe Students.

• Cleone Telling of Quilcene, for her dedication to community service in her community.

• Joni Williams of Port Hadlock, for directing the Port Townsend Backpacks for Kids program of the Sunrise Rotary Club, and service on several boards of directors for United Good Neighbors, Olympic Area on Aging and Jefferson AIDS Services.

Here is more about the honorees:

Milo Rolland

“The students nominated Milo because of his willingness to quietly step in and serve wherever needed,” said Lois Sherwood, Associated Student Body adviser.

Rolland has volunteered at each of the club’s service projects, Sherwood said.

Each year of his high school career, he has helped with the Sunset Rotary Golf in the Dark, Jumping Mouse Gala, Community First Night, Rotary auction and the planting event at Blue Heron Middle School, she said.

This year, he participated in the Students for Sustainability Plant-A-Thon at Tarboo Creek.

He also achieved the rank of Eagle Scout at the age of 15, Sherwood said.

“Milo leads and gives service in a quiet, self-effacing way that does not draw attention,” Sherwood said.

“Milo has a heart for service that never stops giving.”

Hank Hazen

Hazen began work with ECHHO nearly 20 years ago, and continues to accept volunteer assignments while also serving on the board, said Sarah Mc­Mahan, executive director.

Hazen has served on the board since 2004 and as chair since 2013.

“I cannot speak highly enough of Hank Hazen to explain fully how much he has contributed to making our community a better place to live and to providing meaningful active, dedicated support to our most vulnerable citizens,” McMahan said.

Chosen as the Marrowstone Citizen of the Year for 1996, Hazen is a past president of the Marrowstone Island Community Association and serves as director of the Marrowstone Island Foundation.

He volunteered work on the Nordland Garden Club ­pavilion and the Community Boat Project.

“Hank is always there, always willing and able, no matter how tough the youth,” said Wayne Chimenti, coordinator of the Community Boat Project.

“If everyone in the world had his dedication to community and service to others, what a wonderful world it would be.”

Marla Overman

Overman began work at the Boiler Room as an intern and is now a board member while also working for dual college degrees online, said nominator Amy Howard, executive director of the Boiler Room and Port Townsend city councilwoman.

“Marla’s ongoing commitment to not only the Boiler Room as an organization but also to the ‘kids’ of the Boiler Room has been nothing short of extraordinary,” Howard said.

Overman also has served on the Jefferson County Community Network board, organized volunteers for United Good Neighbors’ Day of Caring and in partnership with the Boiler Room has done volunteer work for Habitat for Humanity of East Jefferson County, the Port Townsend Main Street Association and Dove House, Howard said.

“I have never seen one person inspire so many from such diverse backgrounds to just be better humans, be good family, treat others with respect and be nice,” Howard said.

“It may not seem like much in writing, but the community impact has been tremendous.”

Zeremy ‘Jack’ Randall

Randall, a member of East Jefferson Rotary, has served on the boards of Habitat for Humanity of East Jefferson County, Jefferson Mental Health Service, United Good Neighbors, Lutheran Church of the Redeemer and Peace Lutheran Fellowship.

He founded the Olympic Peninsula chapter of Boeing Bluebills, which is devoted to improving the lives of the elderly and disabled.

“His latest passion is for school safety,” said Jean Clark Kaldahl, who nominated him for the award.

Randall is founder and co-chair of Citizens for Safe Students, which is working to equip the Chimacum Schools classrooms with emergency kits.

“He is living out his faith,” Kaldahl said. “He is so eligible to be recognized for a Heart of Service award, which he would humbly receive.”

Cleone Telling

Telling’s community service has included managing the Quilcene Little League program, organizing fundraising for youths at Quilcene Presbyterian Church, volunteering for the Quilcene Fair and working on the Quilcene Historical Museum and the Worthington Park and mansion renovation.

“But what I want to share is how critical she has been for the Quilcene Half Marathon,” said Cass and Tom Brotherton, who nominated her for the award. “She is instrumental in getting and serving the food for our runners … has been our contact with the Jefferson County Health Department … and also calls to arrange donations.”

Said Linda Herzog, a 2016 Heart of Service nominee, Telling shows “lifelong dedication to Quilcene and boundless commitment to supporting her community.”

Joni Williams

Williams directed the Port Townsend Sunrise Rotary Backpacks for Kids program, working to provide weekend nourishment for needy youths, and served on the boards of United Good Neighbors, the Olympic Area on Aging and Jefferson AIDS Services.

A nurse, Williams and her business partner founded Family Care Inc., which provided long-term care for seniors with dementia, her nominators said.

“She has taken on responsibilities, stayed with them and as a result gotten valuable things done,” said Steve Rafoth. “All along, she has demonstrated a caring attitude and sensitivity.”

Said Debbie Reid, administrative assistant of United Good Neighbors: “Joni has a very big heart of service, if there ever was one.”

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Executive Editor Leah Leach can be reached at 360-417-3530 or at lleach@peninsuladailynews.com.