In observation of Senior Corps Week, the United Way Retired Senior & Volunteer Program (RSVP) serving Lewis, Mason and Thurston Counties recognizes outstanding citizens who help make our community the best it can be.
The Washington State Governor Service Awards offers an annual opportunity for nonprofit organizations to recognize exemplary volunteers for their service to the community. We congratulate the 2018 Lewis County Governor Service Award (GSA) nominee, Frank (Sonny) Mettler who serves at the Lewis County Food Bank Coalition.
Lewis County’s Sonny Mettler is a longtime volunteer at the Coalition. Volunteering in the Coalition’s warehouse, which distributes food to nine locations throughout the county, Sonny has a part in almost all of the workings of the facility picking up food from donation sights, driving a forklift, and weighing, sorting, and storing goods is just all in a regular day of service. When he completes a task, he is always ready for more! In fact, he does so much that he has earned the nickname ‘Energizer Bunny.’
Sonny’s supervisor at the Coalition praises his dedication and outgoing nature and, believes his service is an outstanding example of humanity at its best.
With Sonny’s help, the Lewis County Food Bank distributed 1,350,000 pounds of food through its multiple locations in the last year.
Volunteerism is an important component to a healthy community. This last year in Lewis County, RSVP volunteers logged 16,848 volunteer hours serving our community. Based on the hourly volunteer wage posted by the Corporation for National and Community Service, this amounts to $513,183 worth of service hours, making our community a better place for all. However, the real world value of the knowledge, expertise and sweat equity donated by our citizens to our local service network is priceless.
While not all RSVP nominees are selected by the GSA, simply being nominated in part of this noteworthy group of Honorable Mentions deserves heartfelt congratulations. Sonny Mettler, thank you for your valuable service to our community.
From all of us at United Way of Lewis County, THANK YOU for your dedication to giving back to our community!