Long-time Olympia residents, Carol and Wayne Gruen, have incorporated serving their community into the fabric of their lives. It is not just something they do; it is part of who they are. If there were a bank for “service dollars,” their account would be overflowing.
Some readers may remember that 30 years ago the Catholic Community Services’ Community Kitchen was located at Percival Landing. Since the beginning, Carol and Wayne have dedicated the second Wednesday of every month to cook dinner along with others from the United Methodist Women’s group. The location later moved to Cherry Street and now resides on the lower level of the Salvation Army building. Word got out ages ago that this group’s dinners are especially tasty, and that translates into serving approximately 150 meals.
The group has access to the kitchen at 2:30 p.m. and the meal begins at 5:00 p.m. Being tight on time, they often use the certified kitchen at the First United Methodist Church for prep work or roasting turkeys, ribs or chops ahead of time. “We’re good!” exclaims Carol, who told me her group likes to maximize the produce or goods on hand at the Community Kitchen so that nothing goes to waste. However, they do not compromise their offerings. “We don’t quantity cook if it doesn’t taste good to us.” That means that even though they are preparing large quantities of food, they do not sacrifice quality. The United Methodist Church collects donations called “Soup or Bowl Sunday” which helps to buy what may be lacking for a meal. They like to include salad or fruit every time, and sometimes they bring ice cream, which is always a big hit.
Carol has also been the organizing force behind the wildly popular gigantic rummage sale that happens at the church on the first full weekend in March. It is a significant funding source for the activities of the church. Carol also oversees the Holiday Bazaar, a well-attended event that takes place in early November. The Gruens, who are often baking something in their double ovens, are already filling their freezer with the homemade cinnamon rolls that are part of the holiday tradition.
Over the years, Wayne participated in the governance of the church. As a Kiwanis member, he helped cut and deliver free firewood for low-income individuals. Additionally, the couple helps put together health kits, which are sent out during natural disasters. Kits contain towels, washcloths, combs, toothbrushes and Band-Aids. They have also been gleaners for the Food Bank.
Carol was one of three women who started the CROP Walk in Olympia. This annual event, now connected with InterFaith Works, raises thousands of dollars to support feeding people and ending hunger. It was the first “walk” in Thurston County. At that time, they estimated that they might raise $5,000 – $7,000, but these organized women collected $15,000. It was the beginning of something that still takes place in early May.
Each year the Guens bake 50 dozen cookies for the walkers. Yes, that is fifty dozen. Twenty-five percent of the funds raised stay within our local community, and the remainder goes across the country and around the world to grow gardens, dig wells, buy sewing machines and facilitate training. “My father was a farmer,” explains Wayne, who grew up seeing farmers helping each other when neighbors had illness or a death. He has carried this example of helping others through his whole life.
The Gruens continue to live in the Ken Lake community where they bought their home 39 years ago. It is where they raised their two boys. Carol served as the community bookkeeper and secretary while Wayne mowed two of the common grassy areas. They were scout leaders and helped troop members buy uniforms and go to camp by collecting recyclables and turning them in for money. Remember those days?
Carol and Wayne met in college, and when they married, decided to make church a priority in their lives. Attending church on Sunday morning is important, but it is the service work that touches them deeply. “Missions have been my heart,” said Carol. Their résumé of service spans working with the homeless at Camp Quixote to helping refugee families. “It’s a tough world,” noted Carol, and the Gruens feel abundantly blessed to share what they have.
Through 54 years of marriage, the Gruens have figured out ways to make their relationship be successful. He is quiet; she is a people person. Together they have set an example for bountiful giving. They are one of Thurston County’s treasures. Thank you, Carol and Wayne Gruen.
