Pierce County honored 69 individuals and seven groups for outstanding volunteer service last year to parks, public safety, courts and community programs on Saturday, March 14, 2015.

The honorees, selected through a nomination process, were celebrated at Pierce County’s 37th Annual Volunteer Recognition event, held at the McGavick Conference Center on the Clover Park Technical College campus.

“This is one of my favorite events because we get to thank the people and groups who donate their time and talent to making our communities better,” said County Executive Pat McCarthy, who co-hosted the event for a sixth time. “The combined effort of more than 4,000 people who volunteer their services to Pierce County programs makes a huge difference in our quality of life.”

Executive McCarthy, Council Chair Dan Roach and a host of county department leaders honored a number of volunteers for their service in 2014, including:

– Friends of the Upper Nisqually, Harrison Preparatory School, Mount Rainier Lutheran High School Environmental Science Class, the Just Kidding Around 4-H Pack Goat Project, the Pacific Lutheran University men’s basketball team, and the Rogers High School Key Club.

– 16 people who advocate for foster children and others who come through Juvenile Court.

– Participants in the WSU Master Gardeners program.

County officials honored other volunteers for service to emergency management, the Sheriff’s Department, longterm care services for the elderly, and surface water management programs.

On March 10, the Pierce County Council approved Resolution R2015-15 congratulating search and rescue volunteer Alan Hughes as Volunteer of the Year, and Special Achievement Award recipient Rick Adams for his work building community support for Ashford County Park.

The full list of honorees as well as links to volunteer opportunities is available here.