Sherry has been a member of Fairweather Circle since 2010. She’s a Bellevue LifeSpring regular, helping behind-the-scenes at the office and Thrift Culture, and out in the community at Holiday Adopt-A-Family distribution, major events and delivering snack packs to schools. At the 2019 Step Up to the Plate Benefit Luncheon, We presented Sherry with the Trish Carpenter Volunteer of the Year Award to honor her commitment to Bellevue’s children.
Sherry also volunteers with Seattle Childrens, using her creative skills to design trees for their Festival of Trees. When she’s not volunteering, she loves to golf, travel and entertain. She and her husband, Jim, spend as much time as possible with their grandchildren and at their vacation home on Whidbey Island.
Why do you volunteer with Bellevue LifeSpring?
After retiring from teaching, I looked for something meaningful to do within the community. At Thrift Culture, I research and price the artwork, do displays, clerk, price donations and make blankets for people in need. I have made many new and special friends. They, and the shop, have become an integral part of my life.
What’s your favorite part about volunteering with Bellevue LifeSpring?
When you retire and move away from work companions, it can be very difficult to meet new people and make new friends. It has meant so much to me that I have found a welcoming group of women who value my talents and make it a pleasure to work, plan and enjoy various meetings, outings and events.
What is one memorable moment that you have with us?
We had a watercolor of a missionary building in England languishing in our back room. I contacted the artist, who showed in England. He responded that it was an early work of his done years before when he was at the missionary. He gave us a value but added that no one would be interested in that painting if they hadn’t attended the missionary. The next week, someone walked in, saw the painting, and exclaimed, “I did my missionary work there,” and bought it.
Thank you for everything, Sherry!
