At Bainbridge Prepares, we’ve got so much to appreciate this week, which is National Volunteer Week and, in the State of Washington, Volunteer Appreciation Week. That’s because more than 750 of you selflessly give of your time, energy, and creativity to help your community through the emergency preparedness and response efforts of Bainbridge Prepares.

Our Executive Director Loren Bast put it best:

Governor Inslee’s Washington State declaration recognizes that “volunteer service is integral in addressing local and national issues, and is an effective strategy to unite communities while meeting critical needs; . . . the volunteer hours of Washingtonians demonstrate a strong and enduring commitment to public service and represent an astounding annual investment of approximately $5 billion; and . . . Washington is blessed with individuals of all ages who selflessly dedicate their time and energy to performing acts of good will and improving the quality of life for all people. . . .”

Do you feel like donating some time? Our founder and Board Chair Scott James has issued the following invitation to volunteers for the Rotary Auction:

Volunteer for the Curb here. Looking for an ongoing volunteer gig? Click here.

Michelle Moen, the Volunteer Coordinator for the Kitsap County Department of Emergency Management, reports that 5,520 people volunteer in Kitsap County and, of those, 751 (coincidentally almost the same number as BP volunteers) plus 18 dogs in the K-9 unit volunteer for KCDEM. She concluded a message to those volunteers with this:

Volunteers are not paid, not because they are worthless, but because they are PRICELESS!

Featured photo shows Loren Bast speaking at annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner.