Our Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon is often described as an annual highlight for the many volunteers, staff, and community supporters who attend it.   Although the venue, meal options, remarks, and awards may change, the gathering never fails to provide a fun and memorable way for us to remind our volunteer drivers of how grateful we are for their compassionate service.

The audience was captivated by the  tributes of the video.

Mary S. was the lucky recipient of a lovely gift basket from QFC.

The 2013 Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon took place at the Bellevue Red Lion Hotel and offered much excitement.  In addition to the many raffle prizes, guests were also treated to a special surprise: a video montage of heartfelt messages from many local celebrities and politicians.  Cindy Zwart, Director of Senior Services’ Transportation Program, explained, “This year, the Transportation Program staff decided to do something a little different.  We enlisted the help of others here in King County who also recognize your invaluable contribution to our program and our agency and the community as a whole--people who were willing to take time from their busy schedules because they wanted to say thank you for the huge impact you have on the lives of all the seniors and people with disabilities that you touch through your gift of mobility.”  The video was very entertaining and touching.

Terry M. was the lucky driver  who won a full set of new Firestone Tires.

After the event had concluded, one volunteer wrote the following in an email: “I commend you and your staff for a very fine luncheon yesterday…   An observation that came to me is that this is a group of ‘gentle people,’ which the world needs a lot more of. The Seattle area is blessed with these and its many other volunteers.” 

These are very fitting words.  The Volunteer Transportation and Hyde Shuttle programs are, indeed, blessed to have so many ‘gentle people’ involved in them, and the giving, jovial spirit of our volunteers was certainly felt at the luncheon!

 



These volunteers were honored for their 5 years of service.

This impressive group was recognized for its 10 years of service.

Thanks to the many wonderful donations, many volunteers were bestowed with beautiful prizes.

We’d like to thank the following businesses who helped make the successful event possible: AMTRAK; Seattle Symphony; Seattle Art Museum; Vince’s Enterprises, Inc.; Olympic Music Festival; Brown Bear Car Wash; Office Depot; Ivar’s/Kidd Valley; Highline Medical Center; QFC-- Quality Food Centers; Overlake Hospital; Washington Dental Service Foundation; Virginia Mason Medical Center; Seattle Chocolates; Donald & Teresa Benedict; Underground Tours/Bill Speidel Enterprises Inc.; Northwest Trek Wildlife Park; Unico Properties/Exchange Building; Ride the Ducks of Seattle; Walgreen Seattle North District Office; Firestone Tire & Service Centers; Oberto Sausage Company; Tim’s Cascade Snacks; Trident Seafoods Corporation; Museum of Flight; and Regence.   Their support ensured that our luncheon was truly an unforgettable occasion our invaluable volunteers.