Edmonds Serves' goal: Broader community volunteerism

After a month of prep work, a volunteer initiative called Edmonds Serves, founded by a former Edmonds U.S. Congressman in conjunction with local business owners, is live.

Now – in a city known for its volunteers and nonprofits – it’s up to citizens to take advantage.

“Service is what brings people together around the shared common good, and it's fundamental to our democracy,” Brian Baird said Saturday during the formal launch on the steps of the Edmonds Historical Museum.

“Democracy doesn't work without service. It unites and inspires people, and we know from research and experience that those involved in service have happier, more productive, longer lives, even healthier lives.”

How Edmonds Works is simple: The goal is to spotlight the businesses and groups that sustain the city while encouraging broader participation in volunteerism. Numerous businesses in downtown Edmonds paid a nominal fee to create posters featuring their work or volunteers. The posters have QR codes that direct interested viewers to groups that need volunteers.

Baird said Edmonds is the first “Community of Service” – a big push for the National Museum and Center for Service in Washington, D.C., which Baird founded – in the nation. He described the Edmonds effort as the first step in creating “communities of service” across the country, where volunteerism is publicly recognized and embedded into everyday life.

“What really makes us special are the people of Edmonds,” Mayor Mike Rosen told those attending the kickoff while addressing established volunteers featured on Edmonds Serves posters. “They don’t do it to be in the limelight, but because service is contagious. When we see people donating their time and energy and their hearts, it reminds us that we can and should, as well.”

Among the many businesses displaying posters is the Edmonds Bookshop on Fifth Avenue South. Employee and Girls on the Run coach Melissa Foozer was on hand at the store Saturday to speak about the nonprofit, which helps girls train for 5K runs and “know their strengths, trust their voice, and thrive in school, at home, and in their communities.”

A 5K run was scheduled the following day in Mill Creek.

“Girls on the Run is always looking for volunteers,” Foozer said about the national nonprofit founded 30 years ago. “It’s pretty much run by volunteers and serves a big population in Snohomish County through all of the elementary schools. With our camps, with our 5K, the organization can only get bigger with our volunteers.

In addition to the rewards that can be had through volunteering, Foozer said there’s another benefit: It’s really fun.

“We do a service impact project, and this year our girls decided to make bookmarks for our library. They are beautiful bookmarks.”

At the new Beach House Greetings on Main Street – the store recently moved from its longtime Richmond Beach location – owner Jenni Wilson said she had always been involved in the community before relocating after she lost her lease. The Edmonds Serves poster in her store features WA Kids, formerly Washington Kids in Transition.

“I would have an ornament that I would sell every year,” she said, “and all the proceeds went to Hopelink. So when Edmond Serves asked me to do this, I said yes because of my history with that, but also because my focus at the old shop was trying to support children, and I supported the schools over there quite a bit. It was just a natural fit for something that I've already had.”

For more information: edmondsserves.com.