Volunteers

 


We attended a Pierce County volunteer recognition event today. Ann had nominated this dude Weston, who apparently is a cracker-jack tree planter, for an award. He received an honorable mention as a youth volunteer.

Upon having a brunch with Weston and a couple of his family members, we learned that he has a birthday coming up on Monday – the same day as Ann’s. We marveled at this coincidence.

Pierce County has a population of nearly a million people. It takes a good two hours to drive all the way across the county, and that’s if you don’t throw the islands and ferries into the mix. The county has a few thousand employees. It’s kind of a big deal. And apparently, a ton of volunteers help keep the wheels turning.

In Washington, they call the guy running the show at the county the County Executive, whereas in Missouri, we would call this position the Presiding Commissioner. In Pierce County that person is Ryan Mello. From what I’ve heard, Mello is doing a great job as County Executive, and I can attest that he did a great job as an MC and presenter at the volunteer banquet.

I’m sure Weston is going to go on to great things, particularly since he’ll be 8 on Monday, and at that point, the world is pretty much opened up to you. He’s certainly a man of discipline and fortitude, as he made it through the 2 ½ program without so much as looking at a phone once, which is more than I can say for myself. 



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