Roger Bouck Volunteerism in Action Award: Bob Krull, 72, Granite Falls

Established in 2009 in honor of the life and example of Roger Bouck, this award recognizes an individual or organization that demonstrates visible support for volunteerism during the award year; shows results achieved in promoting volunteerism, mobilizing volunteers or increasing the community’s ability to mobilize and engage volunteers; and has a community-wide focus.

Bob Krull has spent a lifetime helping
others, beginning at age 7 when he walked a mile to the store then trundled home groceries in his wagon for two elderly neighbors. From that simple beginning, this native Washingtonian developed increasingly innovative and enduring ways to mobilize the caring power of volunteers.

“The whole idea is to set these programs up and they run.” Krull said.

While at Boeing, Bob ran the employee campaign for then CEO Frank Shrontz and served as the liaison the United Way of America, during which time the company won the national Spirit of America award. He was also the impetus behind the Community Connections program, United Way at Work and the retired Boeing employee volunteers (Boeing Bluebills)

He retired in 1995 after 37 years at Boeing, only to increase the pace of his community involvement, which has included serving with Special Olympics, as a peer counselor for Senior Services, a state Ombudsman for the elderly, a mediator for the Better Business Bureau, chairman of the SnoKing Bluebills, a Master Gardener volunteer, volunteering for Eastside Domestic Violence Program, and on the boards of RSVP and Elder & Adult Day Services

Spirit Award to a Youth:
Sarah Willard, 17, Everett

This award is given to a youth who exemplifies leadership and volunteerism. He or she volunteers at a United Way-funded program, initiative or service and has made a significant, exemplary and noteworthy impact in his or her field of service. This Spirit winner is making an impact in our community and inspiring others to LIVE UNITED.

What United Way calls LIVING UNITED, Sarah Willard simply calls living. Giving
and volunteering are second nature to
this young woman.  She freely advocates that all teens do the same.

A dedicated Girl Scout, Sarah is a aid for Trail and Sail day camp and helps plan a weekend-long camping trip for all local troops--leadership that led her to be chosen as a delegate to the 51st National Girl Scout Convention in Indianapolis. Here in Snohomish County, she has also completed service projects for Volunteers of America Western Washington, Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County, the Everett Gospel Mission and Interfaith Family Shelter.

Sarah accomplishes all this and maintains a 3.8 grade point average as a senior at Everett High School, where she is part of the National Honor Society, book club and committee chair for the spring prom for special needs students.

Spirit Award to an Individual:
Martha Mee, 70, Everett

The Individual Spirit Award is given to an adult who improves others’ lives in Snohomish County. It is presented to someone who works or volunteers in the human services profession and who has made a significant, exemplary and noteworthy impact in his or her field of service. He or she manifests United Way’s mission to transform community to improve people’s lives and to inspire that spirit in others.

“I did not want to become a couch potato
and I don’t watch daytime TV,” said Martha Mee in typical, self-deprecating understatement about why she volunteers.

Far from it, Martha volunteers never less than 10 hours a week and sometimes as much as 40 hours per week during busy tax seasons, working at the Navy’s tax site for the past 10 years and at United Way’s tax center for the past three.  She has also volunteered with the Navy’s retired activities office, in numerous schools and for Catholic Community Services RSVP. Volunteering keeps her young, says this vibrant septuagenarian.

“Do it while you can,” Martha advised everyone with a twinkle and a smile. “I’m just thankful that there are organizations and opportunities where I can get involved regardless of age.”

Spirit of Labor Award:
Toni Bohan, Camano Island,
Contract Administration Director
of SEIU 925 (Service Employees International Union)

The Spirit of Labor Award is presented to a union member of outstanding leadership and community service through the partnership between United Way of Snohomish County and Organized Labor. The recipient demonstrates a commitment to our community through long-term, notable volunteer service.

Toni Bohan has spent her career and
her free-time making life better for people in Snohomish County. “A true team player, she brings her energy and compassion to everything she does each and every day,” reads her nomination, “Her spirit puts the needs of the community first.” A contract administration direction for the Service Employees International Union, Toni serves on the board of the Snohomish County Labor Council and with the Puget Sound Labor Agency. A former board member at United Way, she has been active with Operation Shortfall, the Letter Carrier’s Food Drive and the “Books and Backpacks” program that delivers thousands of backpacks of school supplies to students in need.

Spirit of Snohomish County — Community Partner:  AT&T Mobility

The Community Partner Spirit Award recognizes an organization or corporation that exemplifies the most comprehensive, measurable commitment to building strong and caring communities.

AT&T Mobility has a year-round commitment to the community through its interaction with United Way. Monthly fundraising events keep philanthropy uppermost at AT&T, whose total
employee and corporate giving is
over $97,000. Employees also serve on United Way’s board of directors, committees and all three vision councils. In addition to the Volunteer Expo and Days of Caring, frequent volunteer projects also benefit both the community and the company, notes AT&T’s Jim Lovvorn, director of business data support.

“Our involvement with United Way is very important to us,” says Jim. “The more engaged that an employee is the more likely they are to stay with us and be happier.”

Nationally, the culture of community involvement is evident in AT&T’s national “Spirit of Giving” award that focuses on unifying employees and energizing giving. Locally, AT&T’s leadership also relies on United Way’s careful stewardship of dollars and the agency’s diligence in identifying exemplary programs, Lovvorn noted.

Spirit of Snohomish County — Reeves/Sievers Founders’ Award:
John Dickson, 49, Everett

The Dickson family commitment of service to the community runs long and deep. It’s a legacy that rests easily on the shoulders of John Dickson, who credits his own civic leadership and philanthropy to “the foundation that my parents established.” His father, Bob Dickson, was the Reeves/Sievers Founders’ Award winner in 2008—simply the latest in a long list of accolades. John and his wife Julie and have also instilled the importance of
community service in their son and daughter.

John got a young start as the cross walk monitor at Jefferson Elementary School. He has since served with the Arts Council of Snohomish County, the Boys & Girls Club, the Snohomish County Museum and Historical Association. He has coached basketball, softball and he and Julie have both volunteered with church and their children’s schools through the years. However, it is his expertise in financial matters that nonprofit agencies such as Campfire USA and Housing Hope seek out and rely on time and again for boards, finance committees and capital campaigns. John has been active with United Way since 1999, both in numerous volunteer roles and as a member of the Tocqueville Society.
The banking industry has also sought him out, and he has served on the Washington Banker’s Association Board for eight years, including a term as Chairman.

“I followed my dad’s footsteps there, too,” said Dickson. 

Perhaps most remarkable is the standard of community service that has been purposefully woven into the mission statement and very culture at Frontier Bank. It is the rare community event that doesn’t bear the logo of Frontier Bank as a sponsor. Employees also contribute time and money to nearly 300 different organizations.

John is the true embodiment of the bank’s philosophy: “You may know us as bankers, but as citizens we are also educators, coaches, first responders, fundraisers, hands-on helpers, and much more.”

J.A. Reeves and Roy Sievers led the formation of the Everett Community Chest in 1941, the predecessor of United Way of Snohomish County.  Guiding it through the difficult early years, both served as President and as Campaign Chairmen. The Reeves/Sievers Award is given to an individual who, in that same spirit and tradition, has made a lifetime commitment to community service and the spirit of philanthropy.