Twenty nominated for KP Citizen of the Year
Twenty outstanding community leaders and activists have been nominated as Key Peninsula Citizen of the Year, an annual award recognizing exceptional contributions to the peninsula.
The winner is to be announced at a dinner of the Key Peninsula Lions Club on March 28 at the Key Peninsula Civic Center. Here are the nominees, in alphabetical order:
Kolby Asbra, a fourth-generation KP native, taught pre-school at Vaughn Elementary and was teacher for the Key Peninsula Co-operative Preschool and ECEAP Preschool at Vaughn for five years. After resigning from teaching, she had three sons. For 11 years, she’s served as a volunteer at her kids schools, helped as a PTA board member, a committee leader for many different thing,s including a Peninsula Hands on Art volunteer. Last year, she began teaching again for the Key Peninsula Co-op Preschool teaching early academic skills, how to effectively communicate, and how to respect others as well as themselves. She is Coop preschool and PTA president.
Pat Augusztiny moved to the KP in 2015 and developed Windhorse Farm to include garden, pasture, bees, and orchard. A member of Lakebay Community Church, for three years she served as secretary of the church council and is the lead volunteer for the church office. She has been the leader of the team working at the 7-acre church community garden helping get fresh organic produce to Harvest Share. Pat serves as treasurer of Hope Recovery and is active in the capital campaign. She holds an MBA degree from the University of Washington. She is also a supporter of Pony Up Equine Rescue in Olalla.
Marilyn Brennan has worked with youth in the 4-H community for 31 years, making a huge impact on kids on the Key Peninsula and surrounding areas. Marilyn has always been available for support and guidance in leadership, self-confidence, and public speaking, which carried over into their adult life. Through many years as a 4-H leader, Washington State Fair Board member, and community member, Marilyn has made a positive impact on 4-H members in our area and across the state.
Stephanie Brooks in the past three years has promoted events benefiting people in need. She made some 30 KP families’ Christmas special by hosting a dinner and family night at the KP Civic Center. She gives free meals from her commercial food truck to first responders and works with other non-profits in programs and events. When a tornado blew thru Port Orchard, she enlisted a group and donations and served food to first responders and families displaced by the storm. At the KP Civic Center she has taken charge of numerous fund raisers that have produced over $75,000 to keep the doors open.
Peggy Gablehouse organizes emergency preparedness for the Key Peninsula and is directly responsible for making the KP Civic Center a capable shelter and relief site. She organized the KP Warming/Shelter Center and was instrumental in getting a backup generator for the KP Civic Center. She is Materials Team Lead and a member of the strategic planning committee of the Peninsula Emergency Preparedness Coalition (PEP-C). She coordinated KP area emergency first aidtraining, and has been the key actor in getting the KP Civic Center Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) Emergency Response Communications Site up and running.
Diane Gressley and David Starkweather, husband and wife team, have been volunteering to help kids on the Key Peninsula many years. Both are volunteer reading mentors with Communities In Schools of Peninsula and give their time and talent to make sure elementary children at Evergreen Elementary get the literacy support they need to succeed in school and achieve in life. This team helps at-risk children develop academic and social-emotional skills needed to be successful.
Marcia Harris was the founder of and has directed the Bus Connects program on the Key Peninsula for years. She is on Peninsula Schools Education Foundation, of which she is a past-president. She was KP Community Council’s treasurer and was one of the founding developers of KP Partnership for a Healthy Community. Marcia is a Key Peninsula Community Services Board member. She served on Peninsula School District’s board of directors and was its chair until her retirement this year.
David Haycock is emergency communications team leader for the Peninsula Emergency Preparedness Coalition (PEP-C David is key to expanding the existing KP emergency radio networks to connect local KP residents with Pierce County first responders during area- wide disasters. David works closely with Pierce County Emergency Management and first responder staffs to create and improve the Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) capability on the Key Peninsula.
Tim Kezele is president of the Key Peninsula Civic Center Association and is involved with Key Peninsula Parks. For 30 years, he has tirelessly been involved in the community. He was also recognized as the Citizen of the Year 2006.
Don Lee has spent decades working to help residents prepare for major disasters up and down the KP. He is currently Peninsula Emergency Preparedness Coalition (PEP-C) emergency preparation training team leader. Don has created training sessions, trained trainers, and led communities and neighborhoods to prepare. Don also organizes PEP-C’s water barrel program for low-cost backup water supply for KP Residents.
Dustin Morrow, KPFD Fire Chief, has revamped and refocused the fire department as he and his family have immersed themselves in the community. In a short time he has risen in ranks at Toastmasters and is part of many community committees which seek to bring better services to the Key. On his own time, he has helped citizens clear property, make home improvements and aided those in need. Although relatively new here, he has become a valued member of the KP community.
Jill Peters and her toy-sized Austrian Shepherd Sasha are involved in the Tutors with Tails reading program at Vaughn Elementary School. Peters is in her second year as a volunteer math and reading mentor with Communities In Schools of Peninsula. The pilot program provides students who may be struggling with reading the opportunity to read with certified therapy dogs, boosting literacy, confidence, and social skills. Peters has volunteered at several other schools in this capacity, including Minter Creek and Harbor Heights Elementary Schools.
Victoria Schauer, KPMS English teacher, strives daily to bring the love of literature to her students. She is one of the few teachers who include lessons on the Holocaust. She has encouraged students to enter contests in order to share their creativity with the world. She is an advocate for children and continues to mentor them even after graduation.
Lulu Smith owned and operated the Homeport restaurant for 20 years in the Home community. The restaurant has served as a meeting place for friends and community groups. Lulu has sponsored Christmas parties for the Community children and has provided a hometown gathering spot for many. Lulu was recognized as the Citizen of the Year 1999. She closed the restaurant and retired in January.
Thomas Smith organizes and teaches amateur radio operator (ham) training classes to KP residents to create FCC Licensed ham radio operators in the national Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) system. Thomas has spent hundreds of hours creating alternate communications systems. training radio operators, establishing radio stations, and organizing them into effective emergency communications networks.
Alberta Stave volunteers both with The Mustard Seed Project and has also been active in the Angel Guild. She has a background in nursing and case management. Alberta served on the board of The Mustard Seed Project until her dedication as a grandmother meant she did not have quite enough time. She has continued, though, to work as a committee member and volunteer, acting as a friendly visitor for home-bound elders. In addition, she has been active in the Angel Guild, including serving as president.
Ed Taylor always offers housing to displaced citizens after home fires, wind storms, or other disruptions. A stalwart of the Key Peninsula Business Association, he lends his expertise and advice to startups. He serves on the KP Civic Center Board, KP News Board, KP Fair, and KP Parks for which he has been president and treasurer many times. A photo was not available.
Amy Turk is a KP Boy Scout Troop 220 Leader. She coordinates Troop 220 scouts’ wood-cutting and deliveries to citizens who are unable afford firewood. She heads Troop 220 fundraising, whether it’s waving a car wash sign or chopping wood. Because in 2020 Boy Scouts of America increased its rates, she plans more fundraising in 2020 to help offset those costs. Amy works part time at the Gig Harbor YMCA and plans to be involved with the board for the KP Little League.
Don Zimmerman, owner/operator and pharmacist at Cost Less Pharmacy, the only pharmacy on the Key Peninsula, has provided service above and beyond expectation with unsung services and support to individuals and organizations. He never turns down requests from community organizations for donations to their fundraisers. Time and again, he helps persons obtain medication they couldn’t afford. He brings new businesses and services to our community and has provided the only “shopping center” on the Key. He has created more jobs and more services for our community.