PORT TOWNSEND — The power of volunteerism was celebrated Tuesday at the 10th annual Heart of Service awards, recognizing Jefferson County citizens who have made a special contribution to the community.
“These are everyday people who have found ways to serve others and give back to their communities, often with very few resources and very little recognition,” said John Brewer, Peninsula Daily News editor and publisher, who moderated the ceremony.
“They have made a meaningful difference in the lives of our neighbors and our communities and show us that all of us can be part of something greater than ourselves.”
About 160 people attended the luncheon at the Northwest Maritime Center to pay tribute to nine honorees, two of them posthumously.
The 2015 Heart of Service honorees are Paul Becker, Helen and Ken Brink, Karen Jensen, Ruth Merryman, Bonnie Story and Kim Wilcox, as well as the late Christopher Martin, who died March 2 at the age of 44, and the late Nik Worden, who died Oct. 23, 2014 at the age of 73.
“This is a great honor,” said Story, tearing up during her speech.
“I have a lot of water in my eyeballs but not a lot in my mouth, so I’ll just have to work it out.”
The Quilcene resident was recognized for her efforts in bringing Internet technology to charity organizations.
A blue-ribbon judging committee selected the nine award recipients from nominations made by individuals, clubs, churches, businesses and other organizations.
Along with the PDN, the ceremony was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Port Townsend (noon club), the Port Townsend Sunrise Rotary Club and the East Jefferson Rotary Club.
The award recognizes 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.”
Each nominee was introduced and then made a short speech.
“When we first moved here, we became very involved with animals,” said Becker, who was honored for his efforts on behalf of the Jefferson County Humane Society.
“We recognized that a community without an open-access animal shelter isn’t a community that is worth being in.”
Ken and Helen Brink were honored for accomplishing a variety of projects for the Kiwanis and Elks clubs.
“Somebody took care of me when I was a kid,” Ken Brink said. “Then someone in this community took care of my kids.
“Now it’s our turn to take care of those who are here now.
“We are all in this together, no matter what club you belong to.”
A past Heart of Service honoree, Kim Hammers, praised Jensen, who won the award this year, for developing the “Backpack for Kids” nutrition program, as well as serving as an AARP tax aide.
“Food insecurity is a demon in our world,” Hammers said.
“Karen has faced it with fury, tenacity and insight.
“If she wasn’t feeding some of our kids, they surely would go hungry.”
Merryman was honored for her work mentoring homeowners in the Habitat for Humanity of East Jefferson County program and for founding the Working Image clothing bank, where low-income women can acquire the clothes they need to secure a job.
Wilcox was honored for her establishment of the Irondale Church Community soup kitchen, a regular Tuesday night event.
“It’s been an amazing ride, and it continues to be,” Wilcox said, acknowledging the 20 volunteers who serve soup week after week.
“Truly, we could not have done this without tons and tons of prayer. I am amazed and grateful for this opportunity, for this award, but truly must share it with all these wonderful people.”
Martin was credited for developing the technology infrastructure for the Chimacum School District and the Jefferson County Library, as well as providing essential tech support for the Port Townsend Film Festival.
Worden was a tireless volunteer with the Peninsula Trails Coalition in the continued development of the Larry Scott Memorial Trail and the Olympic Discovery Trail and insightful contributor to other nonprofits.
“They are role models for all of us,” Brewer said of the award winners, “not only because they’ve aspired and dreamed, but because they’ve shown us how our local heroes’ achievements are within our own reach.”
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
