PORT TOWNSEND — Five community activists whose unselfish efforts have made Jefferson County a better place were honored Tuesday with the first annual Heart of Service Award.
About 80 people attended the awards ceremony held at the Fort Worden Commons sponsored by Peninsula Daily News, Rotary Club of Port Townsend (noon club), Port Townsend Sunrise Club and the East Jefferson Rotary Club.
The recipients of the awards were Andy Mackie of Quilcene, Peggy Schafran of Port Ludlow, Bruce Marston of Port Townsend and Pat and Ralph Williams of Port Townsend.
They received framed award certificates, heart-shaped medals designed by Steve Rafoth, president of the Rotary noon club, and the repeated applause of the audience.
John Brewer, editor and publisher of PDN, got the ceremony started by saying, “This is a day about community, and about heroism, and where the two join together.
“These are truly local heroes who have journeyed, sacrificed, taken risk and accepted the costs, five very busy people who always seem to be able to make time to offer a hand or a shoulder, who unselfishly give their time and energy to help their neighbors.”
Played the harmonica
Mackie, a Scottish-born former cowboy who had a sister and brother from Scotland attending the ceremony, approached the podium when his name was called and pulled from his pocket his famous harmonica to play a traditional Scottish tune.
Known as the “music man” of Jefferson County, Mackie was honored for his tireless efforts to teach music, particularly the harmonica, to children and for his nonprofit foundation which supplies thousands of musical instruments to youth and also funds college scholarships.
He said his goal is to bring music to every child on the North Olympic Peninsula and estimates he’s taught 6,000 kids to play the harmonica.
“I’m just sharing the gifts the good lord gave me,” Mackie said to the audience after finishing the song on the harmonica.
When Schafran took the microphone to thank everyone for the award, she used the opportunity to continue her pursuit to spread awareness of stroke symptoms and what it takes to have a healthy heart.
She was nominated for the Heart of Service award by Jefferson County Fire District No. 3 (Port Ludlow Fire and Rescue) for organizing medical forums in Port Ludlow on heart disease along with screenings for stroke and vascular disease.
Schafran explained she has gone through several illnesses in her life, which inspired her to try to prevent others from experiencing similar illnesses by spreading awareness.
Habitat for Humanity
Pat and Ralph Williams were given a framed award certificate and heart-shaped medals for their work with Habitat for Humanity of East Jefferson County, a nonprofit organization that builds decent, affordable housing in partnership with people in need.
Pat is a member of the group’s Steering Committee. Ralph helps with the construction of new Habitat homes.
He also volunteers his time as a reading tutor at Grant Street Elementary School in Port Townsend and does pickups for the food bank.
The Williams said they do the work they do without thinking about awards or recognition.
They just enjoy it, they said.
Finally, Marston took the podium to accept his award.
He became active in the Port Townsend community in community, youth and environmental groups shortly after his arrival from Baltimore, Md., with his family in 1981.
“I knew something was going to change in my life and in my family’s life when we crossed the Hood Canal Bridge,” said Marston. “And it did.”
Marston is active with ECHHO — Ecumenical Christian Helping Hands Organization — of Port Townsend and drives people to medical appointments in Seattle and Everett. He had just returned from one such trip the night before.
He is also chairman of the Boiler Room board of directors.
The Boiler Room, which he helped found, is a nonprofit, youth-oriented coffee house were young people are encouraged to hang out in a positive environment.
Often choking back his emotions, Marston said receiving the Heart of Service award made him take a close look at why he does so much volunteer work.
He came to the conclusion that his mother raised him with the desire to give back to the community.
He also said a former teacher who Marston would routinely see pick up trash as he walked through campus showed him what it meant to serve the community.
“To learn what community means is to get involved with it,” Marston said.
——————–
Reporter Evan Cael can be reached at 360-385-2335 or evan.cael@peninsuladailynews.com.