Volunteers were honored at last night’s City of Destiny Awards. Yesterday, the Index detailed the stories of the individuals who were recognized. Following is a list of the groups that were honored:
Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity (Neighborhood or Community Group): With 20 or more core team members who build during the week and hundreds more who reinforce efforts on Saturdays, volunteers from all backgrounds work together to build houses. When a home is complete, the organization sells it to a family – who will contribute at least 500 hours of volunteer time themselves at no profit through a zero interest loan. Habitat began its efforts in Tacoma in 1985 with one or two homes a year. Now, the group builds about 12 homes annually and has recently completed its 61st.
Tucci & Sons, Inc. (Corporation, Business or Entrepreneur): Paving the streets to both of Habitat for Humanity’s Portland Avenue home projects is just the beginning of Tucci & Sons long list of community service projects that benefit so many Tacomans. With Mike Tucci, Sr., in the lead, the Tucci family and the company’s employees have helped to transform the Pierce County Hunger Walk into the largest walk on the West Coast and one of the largest in the nation. Before the company got involved, about 400 people participated. Now, it draws 1,300 walkers and raises up to $200,000 a year. Tucci employees also prepare and serve meals at Nativity House – and give its clients holiday gifts.
Willie Adams and Mike Chambers (Employee or Union Group): Both members of ILWU, Local 23, Adams and Chambers wanted people to know about the many African Americans that have contributed to our country’s rich history, in addition to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Because so many others also deserved recognition, the longshore workers started the “Celebration of Labor and Black History” in 2001. In two years Adams and Chambers have invested more than $50,000 in bringing living history to Tacoma.
Pacific Lutheran University Football Team (Young Adult Group): For more than 20 years, PLU football players and cheerleaders have used the game of football as the metaphor to talk teamwork to area elementary school students. With the concept they call the “Big Five,” the young adults teach lessons about attitude, caring, challenge, confidence and comparison. This year, 90 Lutes paid weekly visits over an eight-week period and logged more than 1,000 volunteer hours, bringing the total commitment to tens of thousands of hours since the program began.