2017
January
Shelley Roberts
After attending our Mother’s Day event two years ago, Shelley joined our volunteer family. She had recently retired and loved the energy and mission she found at Step By Step.
Together with her talented sisters, she sews sleep sacks, burp cloths, and bibs for our new babies. In addition, she can be found almost every week organizing our donations of children’s clothing and helping with office work. Being a new grandmother herself, to sweet Auri, Shelley is tuned in to the needs of new families and does an awesome job helping provide resources for our moms and babies.
March
Anne Huscroft & Mary Baldridge
In preparation for our 20th Anniversary dinner and auction event, Mary Baldridge, of Interior Design by Mary, and Anne Huscroft, of A Little Something, spent numerous hours up to their elbows in flowers and greenery designing and creating this year’s gorgeous table centerpieces.
Along with several other helpers, these two talented volunteers created stunning floral arrangements that many of our auction guests were able to purchase at the end of the evening.
Mary and Anne have helped on many other occasions here at the farm, when decorating and flower arranging are needed. We are so thankful for them and their artistic talents!
May
Linda Wakeley
Linda has been a regular volunteer at Step By Step, since July of 2016. Learning that a local nonprofit had purchased her beloved Van Lierop Bulb Farm, where she had shopped and photographed the gardens for many years, she had to check us out. As a retired occupational therapist for the Federal Way School District, she was drawn to our mission of helping moms and babies through maternity support. Invariably, she brings with her whatever we need most at the time. She brings diapers, binkies, treasures from her attic for our gift shop, and flowers to brighten up the pots in the garden. She says, “I enjoy the versatility of tasks and jobs I’m given, from office work, sorting donations, working in the flower beds, and occasionally rocking a baby. Most of all, I appreciate the warm and friendly staff and other volunteers.” Thank you, Linda! We appreciate you!
July
Puyallup Valley Dental Care
Our clients and their families have been blessed by the generous donation of professional dental services that Dr. Steven Urback and his wonderful staff at Puyallup Valley Dental have given. On several occasions this year, a mobile dental van from Medical Teams International has come out to our office location, so that Dr. Urback, assisted by his staff, could volunteer and offer free dental treatments for our Step By Step moms and their families. Other Step By Step volunteers also helped, by cooking delicious breakfasts for the clients and caring for babies and toddlers, while their parents were receiving care. Thank you for contributing to our clients’ health, in such a tangible way!
September
East Main Vision
This summer, Dr. Day and our dear friends and supporters from Dr. Joseph Day East Main Vision Clinic hosted a diaper drive for our moms and babies, collecting a total of 1,778 diapers, plus cash donations to be used for other baby necessities. Dr. Day and his East Main Vision office faithfully and generously support the women and families we serve!
november
Evergreen Restoration
Just before Thanksgiving this year, we were approached by Evergreen Restoration of Puyallup, wondering if we knew a family they could bless with a holiday meal. Of course, we said, “Yes!” Owner Dianna Sims graciously and generously provided a lovely meal, with extra special touches, to one of our client families. And, two of our own volunteers were able to deliver it. Thanks for your commitment to bettering our community, Evergreen Restoration!
February
Grace Community Church Youth Group
On a frigid Saturday, in early February, a dedicated group of High School girls from the Grace Community Church in Auburn gathered at the farm to tackle a big project. They sorted bags and bags of donated baby clothes and bundled them into coordinating outfits.
As part of a winter retreat, where they spend a portion of the weekend serving the community, they and their adult leaders cheerfully and tenaciously worked away in our cold storeroom to help make sure our babies will be dressed cutely and warmly. You girls rock!
April
Maple Lawn Elementary School
This Spring, an ambitious and compassionate group of 4th and 5th graders from Maple Lawn Elementary School in Sumner held a diaper drive for our Step By Step babies. Mentored by Kathy Hayden from the Sumner Rotary, through a program she developed called Early Act, and led by their teacher, Jeanne Ossman, the students created posters and managed the logistics of a school-wide drive. They brought in over 4,400 diapers to help keep our babies dry and happy!
June
Gratitude House
On a beautiful June day, a delightful group of women, who live at the Gratitude House in Tacoma, came for an outing at the farm, along with their house director, Carol Newell, and volunteer mentors from the community. They enjoyed a picnic on the patio and then took up garden gloves and tools to help rid our flower beds of weeds. We love it when our volunteer family offers to weed! The outing was organized by Pam Rayburn, who volunteers with the home. The Gratitude House provides a structured, safe place to call home for women recovering from addictions. Thank you, ladies, for volunteering with us!
August
Anne Poppino
A year ago, Anne began volunteering in our Step By Step office. Right away, we wondered how we ever managed without her. She enjoys creating order out of chaos... a skill often needed around here! When asked what drew her to volunteer she said, “I found myself with time and energy and a desire to contribute in some way, and I had a friend who worked for Step By Step. When I learned what the volunteers do, I thought I’m good at those things!” We wholeheartedly agree. Thank you, Anne!
OCTOBER
Rachel Hull
Rachel has volunteered with Step By Step for almost a year now, after learning about us from one of her friends. We are so grateful for Rachel and her willingness to do anything she’s asked. She has been a huge help, both at events and here at the office. When our office manager went on vacation this fall, she came in daily to answer the phone and handle our client referrals… a massive job! Rachel says she loves the mission of Step By Step and is thankful for the opportunity to be a part of the work here. We’re glad you’re part of the family, Rachel!
December
Everett Blankenship
Everett recently became aware of Step By Step and has followed our work with great interest. He was delighted when Krista approached him about helping with the Santa Photo station, at our annual Christmas events. Everett runs a small photo booth business and his skills and speedy printer helped us spread holiday cheer, and families were able to go home from the events, with Santa photos in hand. Everett says he was touched by the dedication of the “sea” of amazing volunteers and looks forward to future projects.
Mr. Everett’s Photo Booth
http://mreverettsphotobooth.com