Volunteers who save millions for county get a tip of the hat

Volunteers who were honored Thursday received credit for saving Thurston County more than $2 million a year with their unpaid labor.

The county faces a $4 million budget shortfall next year, a fact pointed out by commissioners Diane Oberquell and Cathy Wolfe at the county's sixth annual volunteer-recognition party.

"As the years go by, we're going to need more and more help to do everything that we do," Oberquell told more than 200 volunteers at the festivities at the Thurston County Fairgrounds. The event — featuring a three-piece swing band, a buffet and prizes — cost more than $4,000 from the commissioners' budget, but they said it was a good investment.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you," Wolfe said to the group. "There's absolutely no way we could run county government without you."

Attendees included K-9 officers Ranger and Duke with Thurston County Search and Rescue and Eryn Edwards, 18, Thurston County's dairy ambassador. Many sported fancy hats, in keeping with this year's theme, "Hats Off to Volunteers."

"It's really about more than just money," said Don Krupp, county chief administrative officer, who wore a top hat. "The contributions from the people who are here are things that money can't buy."

More than 20 Thurston County departments benefit from the services of more than 1,000 volunteers, with the county's Washington State University Extension Service clocking the most at more than 800.

Some volunteers sing harmonies with Wrinkles of Washington or pack edibles with the Thurston County Food Bank.

Alice Danell of Olympia said she started at the food bank two years ago to accompany her son, Michael, now 18, who was doing community credit for school. After her son stopped going, Danell kept on, donating three hours every fourth Wednesday to packing groceries and distributing food.

Winners of Thursday's fancy-hat contest, based on audience applause, were Bobbie Andreas of Olympia, of Wrinkles of Washington and Entertainment Explosion; Ann Shipley, a member of the Thurston County Fair Board; and Linda Ellis of Tumwater, of Wrinkles of Washington.

Keri Brenner covers Thurston County for The Olympian. She can be reached at 360-754-5435 or kbrenner@theolympian.com.