PORT ANGELES — Soroptimist International of Port Angeles-Jet Set has chosen five women as its Women of Distinction.
Anneliese Russell, Louise Fager, Patsy Hunt, Jennifer Clark and Chrissy Amundson, all of Port Angeles, were honored at an awards breakfast March 14 as the Jet Set Club’s 2013 Women of Distinction.
Awards go to women who have made a difference in their community and who serve as role models for other woman through their achievements, their character and integrity, and their ability and leadership.
They also have performed activities relating to a Soroptimist program of service.
Here is information about the achievements of the five women.
— Anneliese Russell has been a volunteer at the Feiro Marine Life Center since 2006, just as she was entering high school.
She now works a shift each Saturday year-round and makes sure animals at the center are well cared for.
She works with other volunteers on determining what species eat and how they should be fed.
Her senior culminating project for graduation was a workbook for younger children to teach them about marine life; this is used today in the center’s youth programs.
— Louise Fager is known as the “Book Lady” for the Clallam County Literacy Council.
Last year, the CCLC donated more than 7,500 books.
Fager prepares the books for identification and reading level.
When books are needed for a community event, Fager prepares the books and delivers them to the event.
Bookworm Reading Baskets are located around town in restaurants, bands and medical offices, and provided books for activities that included KidsFest, Homeless Connect, Sequim Irrigation Festival, Forks RainFest and Clallam Bay Days.
— Patsy Hunt, Jennifer Clark and Chrissy Amundson were recognized for their work with the Pomona Junior Grange Camp, held each summer at Camp David Junior.
Hunt began working as a cook for the camp 23 years ago and since 1990 has been the shopper, planner and main cook for the campers, counselors and parents who come for family night each summer.
Hunt’s daughter, Jennifer Clark, attended Grange Camp as a kitchen helper at age 8, served as a counselor from ages 17 to 21 and since then has been the co-director of the camp with Amundson.
Amundson became a counselor at age 15, assistant director at age 20 and is now co-director with Jennifer.
The two oversee the learning and safety for 85 campers and 18 to 22 counselors.
This summer’s camp is the 24th season for Hunt and Clark and the 15th year for Amundson.