2012 Jefferson County Heart of Service award recipients announced; award ceremonies May 15

Published 12:01 am Sunday, May 6, 2012

PORT TOWNSEND — Seven community heroes will be honored May 15 with the Jefferson County Heart of Service award for 2012.

The Heart of Service honors 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 year’s recipients are:

■   Judith Alexander of Port Townsend for her leadership in many environmental and community sustainability efforts, including Local 20/20, Citizens for Local Food and the Food Resiliency Action Group.

“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 and then turning that learning into real and meaningful change,” wrote Deborah Stinson, a 2011 Heart of Service recipient and now a member of the Port Townsend City Council who has worked with Alexander.

“She not only walks the talk in her own life but also helps others find their own path.

“These efforts are best seen through her creative support for the Northwest Earth Institute courses in Jefferson County, co-creating Earthday Everyday! and co-founding and nurturing Local 20/20.”

■   Melanie and Steve Bozak, a husband and wife duo that has been a driving force behind the Port Townsend Rhododendron Festival.

The Bozaks have been festival volunteers for more than 20 years, serving on the board, building floats and organizing events.

In 2011, they were honored as Rhody Senior Royalty.

“In the past year, when it looked as if the festival itself might fail,” said Ken and Helen Brink of Port Townsend in a nomination letter, the Bozaks once again pitched in and “infused needed enthusiasm that has spread to include many more volunteers, excitement and anticipation,” which resulted in a successful and financially stable festival this spring.

The couple also have contributed thousands of volunteer hours to the Jefferson County community through the Port Townsend Kiwanis Club.

“Melanie started and is the organizer and chair of the Kiwanis’ Thomas J. Majhan Teen Leaders awards program, honoring outstanding teenagers in Eastern Jefferson County,” wrote the Brinks.

“The ninth year was just completed, and 116 teen leaders have been honored.”

■   Bob and Winona Prill of Quilcene, cited in three nomination letters for their “goodness and generosity,” “patient and quiet leadership and support,” “visual and hidden contributions to others” and the couple’s selfless years of volunteer service to 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.

“The lists of their individual and joint accomplishments could fill pages — they are simply great people,” wrote Mari Phillips, chairwoman of the Quilcene museum.

Among their many achievements, Winona wrote a 374-page history of Quilcene, and Bob has completed countless building and repair projects for community groups.

“They take great pride in seeing a job completed that they have volunteered or been assigned to do,” wrote Larry McKeehan, a Quilcene school teacher.

“They will spend many hours to do these tasks . . . and those who see their work are awed.”

■   Anne Schneider of Port Townsend, whose “insight, vision, analytical skills, ability to organize procedures and skill in working harmoniously with others are what make her a true change agent,” wrote Rodeama Abrams of Port Ludlow.

Her Heart of Service nomination was accompanied by a thick stack of letters of support from Abrams and others who have worked with her on nonprofits ranging from the Centrum board of directors and the Port Townsend chapter of the American Association of University Women to Working Image, the Jefferson County Community Foundation, Olympic Community Action Programs and the Northwest Maritime Center.

One of the nomination letters came from Ruth Merryman, who co-founded Working Image with Schneider in 1998.

The organization provides professional clothing free of charge to needy women seeking employment as well as to victims of fires and domestic violence.

Stanley Cummings, former executive director at the maritime center, wrote that without the efforts of Schneider and her husband, Dick, “I can truthfully say . . . the center would not have been built.”

■   Bill Wise, hands-on visionary co-founder and chairman of EDC Team Jefferson, the county’s public-private economic development organization.

“Bill has assisted, counseled and educated numerous individuals and small businesses on how to get established and prosper in Jefferson County,” wrote Roger A. Loney, president of Port Townsend Paper Corp.

“No idea or opportunity is too big or too small to evaluate and consider for Bill, and I have always admired his can-do attitude.

“As I understand it, Team Jefferson has brought over $6.5 million in new funds to Jefferson County since its startup in 2007.”

Wrote L. Katherine Baril, retired director of Washington State University Jefferson County Extension and who is now a business consultant: “There is hardly a big, complicated public policy or community-based issue where Bill has not provided leadership, dedication, hard work and a new way of working together.

“Bill has given unselfishly of his heart, time, expertise, but mostly of his integrity and deep love for our community.”

This is the seventh 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.

A judging committee selected the seven Heart of Service recipients from nominations made by individuals, clubs, churches, businesses and other organizations.

“These seven are truly local heroes, working to make community life stronger, tighter, happier, richer,” said John Brewer, PDN editor and publisher.

“They represent the backbone of the community — busy people who always seem to be able to make time to offer a hand or a shoulder.

“And they may be people whose names many residents don’t know.

“They don’t give to our communities because they expect either reward or recognition.”

The seven will receive framed award certificates and heart-shaped medals designed by Steve Rafoth, president and CEO of Enclume Design Products in Port Hadlock and past president of the Rotary noon club.

The awards will be presented at a luncheon at the Northwest Maritime Center, 431 Water St., in downtown Port Townsend at noon Tuesday, May 15.

The luncheon is open to the public.

Friends and admirers of the recipients are invited to attend.

Lunch costs $12 for soup, salad and a sandwich, and about $10 for soup and a salad.