Snohomish County is highlighting the committed people who give their time to the well-being of its young people. For their advocacy efforts in 2023, 42 volunteers from the County’s Office of the Court Appointed Special Advocate received the prestigious national President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA). Volunteers for Court Appointed Special Advocates are vital members of the community who stand up to give children and young people who have been abused or neglected a voice while they negotiate the complicated legal system. According to Snohomish County, these volunteers, who are working toward a goal based on the values of family preservation and the appreciation of distinctive cultural values, received recognition for their significant service hours during a celebration held last Thursday by the Court Appointed Special Advocate staff.
President Biden personally thanked the volunteers and presented them with gold, silver, or bronze medals and pins in appreciation of their dedication. The awards are a component of a nationwide initiative that recognizes volunteers who devote a substantial amount of their time to volunteer causes. According to the Snohomish County statement, the program honored the Court Appointed Special Advocate group’s two gold, eight silver, and thirty-two bronze honorees for their dedication, which ranged from 100 to more than 500 hours.
Ginny Rathburn and Linda Goodwin were recognized with gold awards for their exceptional commitment among the volunteers. Rathburn, who has served for 108 children for 16 years, and Goodwin, who has been a Court Appointed Special Advocate for 50 children for nine years, both exemplify the altruistic nature that is recognized by the President’s Volunteer Service Award. Goodwin expressed thanks for the assistance that allows them to make a difference for children and families, saying, “Being a CASA has given me the opportunity to touch and be touched by the lives of amazing individuals, big and small,” as reported by Snohomish County.
91 abused or neglected children have been supported by the combined efforts of silver honorees, which include Emily Fountain, Christi Osburn, Nicole Petersen, Renee Robinson, Heidi Scott, John Stevens, Jeanne Thomas, and Erica Wilkinson. Their more than 37 years of combined volunteer experience demonstrates the community’s continued dedication to helping people in need. The Snohomish County observed that this group of committed individuals has ensured that their volunteer activities are not overlooked, working persistently to advocate for children who are at risk.
A team of 31 volunteers received the bronze level for their efforts, which together perfectly capture the spirit of community service. With more than 100 hours of volunteer labor each, these people provide a united front in the battle for child welfare. Christie Blackston, Julie Berg, and the other bronze award winners are excellent examples of what it means to give back to the community by making sure that young people’s views are heard and that their rights are vigorously defended.
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