Sammamish Resident Mary Trask Receives President’s Volunteer Service Award

A tireless local volunteer, Mary Trask, got a pleasant surprise at the SAMMI Award Foundation's thank-you breakfast.

Along with recognizing sponsors and supporters, the breakfast at Sammamish City Hall was the platform for the surprise announcement and presentation to Mary Trask of the President’s Volunteer Service Award. 

The President's Council on Service and Civic Participation (the Council) was established in 2003 to recognize the valuable contributions volunteers are making in our communities and encourage more people to serve. The Council created the President’s Volunteer Service Award program as a way to thank and honor Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service. 

Trask received the Gold Level Award from President Barack Obama for her tireless efforts working with the ARAS Foundation - providing lifelines to people in need around the world and in the community, by coordinating volunteers, funding, education, referrals, and giving communities the tools and resources they need to help and to heal. 

The SAMMI Foundation said of Trask, "Anyone acquainted with Mary knows she walks the talk - 'The tallest we ever stand is when bending to lift someone who has fallen.'"

The SAMMI Awards Foundation hosted a breakfast at Sammamish City Hall on Wednesday, May 30, 2012 to thank the many Sponsors and Supporters of the SAMMI Awards Foundation’s mission to celebrate and promote community involvement. Members of the Board of Directors thanked sponsors and also took the opportunity to get some feedback around planning for the future of the SAMMI Awards Foundation. Mayor Tom Odell expressed his thanks to the organization for the unique value they bring to the Sammamish Community and reinforced the importance the City places on supporting the SAMMI Awards Foundation. Executive Director Kristina Williams thanked all of the sponsors and individual supporters for their continued commitment and financial support of the Foundation.

Nominate someone for next year's SAMMI Awards

Who do you know that has inspired you or made a difference in the quality of life in Sammamish?  A neighbor? A teacher? A business associate? A friend? A member of the local clergy? A City Employee? Thank them for their inspiration and contributions by nominating them for a SAMMI Award – Sammamish Acknowledging Magnificent Moments of Inspiration between now and November 15, 2012.  The SAMMI Awards Foundation will honor those nominees and awardees at a community gala in March, 2013.  The SAMMI Awards Foundation formed in 2001 was established to bring our community together to recognize the strengths and talents of our residents, and promote the Celebrating and Encouraging Community Involvement. Please go to the SAMMI Awards Foundation website: http://www.sammiawards.org/sammis/  to see a complete list of award categories and submit your nomination for the person(s) that inspires you.

2012 Ceremony sponsors: City of Sammamish, KeyBank, Swedish Medical Center, Sammamish Plateau Water and Sewer District, Rotary Club of Sammamish, Sammamish Kiwanis, CrossPath Counseling & Consultation, Friends of Youth, Youth Eastside Services, The Partners Group, Eastside Catholic, Overlake Hospital Medical Center ,  Plateau Remodel, Dr. Quickstad, D.D.S., Sammamish Citizen Corps. , Dino Guzzetti of Edward Jones, MM Comfort Systems, Rachel Carson Elementary PTSA, John Rossi, D.D.S, Sammamish Chamber of Commerce,

ARAS Foundation, Centerstone Executive Search, Providence Marianwood, Costco, Sammamish-Issaquah Patch, Issaquah-Sammamish Reporter, Sammamish Review, artEast, NCL, Inc.-Lake Sammamish Chapter, Xbox Live Operations, Kris & Jim Dimlow, and True Martial Arts.

The SAMMI Awards Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to celebrate and promote community involvement. Tax ID#61-1436709

--Information courtesy SAMMI Awards Foundation