Janet Kavadas wins the Roger Bouck Award for Volunteerism in Action

United Way President & CEO Dennis Smith congratulating Roger Bouck Award winner Janet Kavadas

United Way’s Roger Bouck Award for Volunteerism in Action is meant for someone who not only cares deeply for this community, but who also promotes volunteerism every day.

United Way encourages everyone to LIVE UNITED with a vision of community that gives their time, talent and treasure to making Snohomish County a better place to live. This award was created to honor volunteerism and the legacy of a tireless community steward, Roger Bouck. He was a visionary for community change and had a passion for service. Roger volunteered his entire life and has left a legacy of hope, health and caring in our community.

Congratulations go to Janet Kavadas, the recipient of the 2011 Roger Bouck Award. Janet knows that staying active is the recipe for a fulfilling life and volunteering is the main ingredient. For over 40 years, Janet has given her time and talent to better our community.

Her dedication to volunteering began first with a professional career recruiting and developing volunteers with a personal passion is in Health and Safety issues. Janet is a founding member of the South Snohomish County Health and Safety Network and for 15 years she worked to grow it to one of the most active in the county.

Janet shows us every day how beneficial living a healthy life can be. She has been a swim and track official since 1984 and at 80 years young she was the oldest official and the oldest swimming participant at the Championship Meet for Masters this year. Janet currently teaches swimming lessons at The Y of Snohomish County. She says that on any given weekend day she often has to decide between officiating for swimming or track.

Janet began her work with the United Way in the early ‘70s-volunteering in both King and Snohomish Counties. She has been a regular member of United Way of Snohomish County’s Community Matters Vision Council since it’s inception in 2003 and rarely misses a meeting or a chance to chip in.

Janet truly embodies what it is to Give. Advocate. And Volunteer. She is an inspiring role model for how volunteering, staying engaged and making a contribution add quality to one’s life and make our community a better place.

See more photos of the event.

Register starting July 18 for Days of Caring volunteer projects

A team from Philips Healthcare gets a jump on Days of Caring
with a volunteer project June 17 at YWCA's Pathways for Women.

Take part in the largest, two-day volunteer event in Snohomish County! Join 1,000 volunteers on Sept. 23 & 24. United Way will connect your or your team to a nonprofit agency that’s asking you to Step Up, Give Back and Volunteer! Registration opens July 18. Sign up to receive Days of Caring email updates.

Free tickets to AquaSox for community volunteers

If you volunteer in any capacity in our community, we've got free tickets for you to attend Volunteer Appreciation Night with the Everett Aquasox Monday, Aug. 8. Game time is 7:05 p.m. To reserve your tickets, contact Jessica Gaitan at jessica.gaitan@uwsc.org or 425.374.5530.

Nominations due July 8 for Roger Bouck Award for Volunteerism

The Roger Bouck Award is given annually to an individual or organization that exhibits a visible, community-wide focus on volunteerism year-round. The winner will be recognized during United Way's annual Volunteer Appreciation Night at the AquaSox on Monday, Aug. 8. Nomination forms are due Friday, July 8.

Live United Leaders kick off Endowment Campaign

IAM and AW District Lodge 751 announced a challenge gift of $25,000 to launch
the United Way Endowment Campaign.

United Way is blessed with donors who give back to their community by giving or volunteering. At the pinnacle of these LIVE UNITED leaders are “Champions.” No two people better exemplify that word than Mary Duryee and Buzz Rodland, Champions who are co-chairing the Endowment Campaign. In June, the campaign kicked-off with the celebration and the announcement of three special gifts:

• a $25,000 challenge grant from District Lodge 751 of the IAM and AW
• property valued at $30,000
• a life insurance policy valued at $250,000 from Bob and Kerile Neprud

The goal is to raise a $10 million endowment to fund community investments and United Way’s operational costs so that more of every dollar donated can go toward programs and services.

“United Way touches the lives of so many people,” Duryee said. “We need United Way to stay strong; that’s why we need this endowment.

Mary Duryee celebrates her 93rd birthday

View the complete photo album.

Become a "Spirited" table captain

Join us Sept. 9 at the Spirit of Snohomish County Breakfast as a table captain. You won't want to miss this year's inspirational keynote speaker, Manuel Scott, one of the original Freedom Writers whose life was turned around by an innovative and caring teacher. Please contact Laura Walker at laura.walker@uwsc.org or 425.374.5518 if you or someone you know is interested. Corporate table sponsorships are also available.

Early campaigns Step Up pace of fundraising

Thanks to companies with spring campaigns, fundraising for 2011 is off to a hot start!

Premera Blue Cross topped $500,000, up $61,000.

Philips raised over $211,000, up $67,000.

“This is fantastic,” said Campaign Chair Sue Ambler. “With a slow recovery and cutbacks in the state budget, our community is really relying on the generosity of donors. I am so thankful to all those who have “Stepped Up.”