Thurston County honors thousands of volunteers

One of the county’s most relentless parts of the workforce — the search and rescue teams with worn out boots, stream monitors with bug samples, and builders with calloused hands and dozens more — was recognized when the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) declared April 2025 as Volunteer Appreciation Month on Tuesday, April 15.

Through a proclamation, the BoCC said volunteerism increases Thurston County’s capacity to deliver “unparalleled services,” such as decision-making, planning, “housing services, resource distribution, community response services and more” to its residents. 

The “donated time and talents” given by the network of volunteers directly supports “worthy causes,” especially for residents without access to essential resources. 

On the same day, at the county’s atrium, a full “Volunteer Fair” took shape with volunteers from emergency response, water protection, public education, animal welfare and more taking part.

Featured volunteer groups 

Thurston County Washington Explorer Search and Rescue  

Among the featured organizations who presented their work during the session was Thurston County Washington Explorer Search and Rescue (TCWESAR).

It is a volunteer-run response unit that works in conjunction with three others: the Search Management Team, the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office Jeep Patrol, and South Puget Sound K9 Search and Rescue. 

All four groups are active year-round and their work area includes dense forests, lowland wetlands, suburban corridors and disaster-hit zones. 

TCWESAR President Marcelle Allen said volunteers in the mentioned groups receive no compensation, use their own equipment, and are trained and certified under the Washington Emergency Worker Program. 

She said in 2024, TCWESAR logged over 5,000 training hours, and every new member completes more than 200 hours of structured instruction before certification. Mandatory coursework includes FEMA modules, wilderness survival, CPR, hypothermia response, navigation drills and low-angle rope rescue. 

Allen also explained the range of missions the teams perform, such as locating missing hikers in the Capital State Forest, assisting in the flood evacuations, and supporting law enforcement in evidence searches. 

“We provide rapid, skilled response in terrain where every minute really counts,” she said. 

The units contribute both inside and outside the county through mutual-aid agreements. Volunteers “sleep in tarp shelters” and train in winter storms to simulate mission conditions. 

Every call they answer reflects the motto they uphold: “We do these things so others may live.” 

Stream Team 

Following TCWESAR, Cynthia Taylor spoke on behalf of Stream Team, a collaboration between stormwater utilities in Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater and Thurston County. 

Founded in 1990, Stream Team has recorded more than 27,000 volunteer hours across water protection, habitat restoration and environmental education. 

In 2024, 320 volunteers contributed nearly 3,000 hours, restoring habitat in sites, such as Sapp Road in Tumwater, Wonderwood Park in Lacey, Squaxin Park in Olympia, and the McLane Creek Nature Trail in unincorporated Thurston County. 

Taylor said the team’s goal is to keep rainwater clean as it moves into wells, lakes, creeks and eventually into Puget Sound. 

Volunteers monitor stream bugs, amphibian egg masses and sediment runoff to supplement regional water quality data. They also plant oysters in Budd Bay to improve pollution filtration and water clarity. Stream Team’s restoration efforts stretch across multiple parks and natural reserves.

In support of their ecological work, Stream Team pairs with public events, such as county fairs, school events and other local festivals to explain its work and invite others to join. 

“Our mission is to protect and enhance the water resources and associated habitats and wildlife in Thurston County through community action and education. Volunteers are crucial to our success,” Taylor said. 

South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity 

Lastly, the board then heard from South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity (SPSHH). The nonprofit focused on its construction and housing repair programs, which target low- and moderate-income households. 

CEO Elizabeth Walker reported a 119% increase in local home prices over the past decade, compared with a 51% increase in wages. 

“That’s a gap that’s not sustainable … a one-third of our neighbors are cost-burdened or severely cost-burdened,” Walker said

She said SPSHH plans 162 new homeownership units over the next five years, 28 in Tumwater, 22 in Yelm and 112 in Olympia. Homes are constructed with energy efficiency in mind to reduce utility costs. 

Volunteers contribute to all stages of the process. Some work inside resale stores, where they sort donations, assist customers and load trucks. Others work on job sites laying flooring, installing doors, hammering siding and framing roofs. Last year, the group reported over 19,000 volunteer hours. 

Other countywide volunteers  

Also featured at the Volunteer Fair was Caring Hearts 4 Paws, a nonprofit dog rescue group run entirely by volunteers in Olympia. 

Representing animal welfare, the group advocates rescuing pregnant strays from Eastern Washington. The nonprofit fills the gap with what it can gather, such as donated supplies and volunteer labor, to feed, house and care for pregnant strays until they’re adopted. 

Elsewhere in the county, many organizations used digital space to thank their volunteers in full view. 

On April 3, Thurston County Public Health and Social Services posted a public tribute, stating: 

“Huge shoutout to all our incredible volunteers! Your dedication, passion, and tireless efforts are what make all our projects and initiatives possible … We couldn’t do it without you, and we’re so grateful to have you on our team!” 

Also, a wave of “thank you notes” from the Thurston County Food Bank (TCFB) was sent out to thank its more than 3,000 volunteers who together put in 57,000 hours last year. 

“Thank you for helping us eliminate access barriers in our community … thank you for helping us rescue good food so it doesn’t go to waste … we couldn’t do it without your support!” TCFB shared. 

Another, Joint Animal Services (JAS) also posted appreciation posts during National Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week, beginning April 14. 

“We at Joint Animal Services would like to show our deepest gratitude to our Field Services Unit. … Our Field Services Unit is an integral part of the community and Joint Animal Services. Thank an Officer today!” JAS said. 

They noted their volunteer network supports field response, rabies control, cruelty investigations and community education. 

County proclamation  

Globally, April carries the same purpose, a month carved out to honor people who serve quietly, steadily handing over their time and energy for someone else’s benefit, all without asking for anything in return. 

As stated in the BoCC’s proclamation, “volunteer participation” is an important government function, bridging resource gaps and reinforcing programs. 

Thurston County relies heavily on involvement from residents.

“Thurston County has nearly 25 boards and commissions at any given time that advise the Board of County Commissioners and county staff on policies, programs and the many issues facing our community,” the proclamation read. 

The panels, staffed by residents, provide ongoing input and shape policies, guide development and weigh in on issues from land use to health services. 

The resolution also acknowledges the network of individuals, businesses and nonprofit organizations who contribute to county’s operational and strategic operations through direct service.  

Through the proclamation, the BoCC invited every resident to honor the labor and impact given by volunteers, both locally and across the nation.