Submitted by United Way of Thurston County
In observation of Senior Corps Week, United Way Retired Senior & Volunteer Program (RSVP), serving Lewis, Mason, and Thurston counties recognizes outstanding citizens who help make our community the best it can be.
The Washington State Governor Service Awards offers an annual opportunity for nonprofit organizations to recognize exemplary volunteers for their service to the community. We congratulate the 2018 Thurston County Governor Service Award (GSA) nominee, Janet Sykes, who serves at the Thurston County Food Bank.
Janet has been a devoted volunteer at the Thurston County Food Bank for over 20 years. Logging over 5,000 hours in her dedicated years of service, Janet recently celebrated her 84th birthday. She spends every Wednesday distributing bread and pastries at the food bank, which has earned her the fitting title of ‘The Bread Queen.’ Friendly, cooperative, and an inspiration to everyone she meets, Janet’s experience and determination is especially inspiring for new food bank volunteers who are just learning the ropes. Janet is also known for her spry vitality and generosity. If there is a heavy box she can lift, she will lift it, and if there is a favorite cake, she will bake it for your birthday. Just ask food bank employees and volunteers, who are among some of her biggest fans.
Volunteerism is an important component of a healthy community. This last year, in Thurston County, RSVP volunteers logged 20,345 volunteer hours serving our community. Based on the hourly volunteer wage posted by the Corporation for National and Community Service, that amounts to $619,717 of service hours, making our community a better place for all. However, the real world value of the knowledge, expertise and sweat equity donated by our citizens to our local service network is priceless!
While not all RSVP nominees are selected by the GSA, simply being nominated as part of this noteworthy group of Honorable Mentions deserves heartfelt congratulations.
Featured photo credit: Chris Hamilton
