What were your first thoughts about this area?
When I moved here from Kansas, it felt like magic. I still tell folks I’m from Kansas, but my heart truly belongs to Washington. I just love it here.
What do you love most about it?
The mountains and the colors of nature are stunning. I had the luck of living on a 200-acre Christmas tree farm near Highway 9. It was like living in a year-round camping trip. Friends would come over to our place, and we always had adventures nearby. Now, I’ve spent the last 24 years in Maple Falls, right by Maple Creek. My home feels like a living painting with all the wildlife around.
I’ve always been drawn to the countryside. Growing up in a small Kansas town, I appreciate the beauty of Washington. Here, I can make a snow angel and then drive an hour to comb the beach. In Kansas, everything is flat. You can see where you’ll have lunch from breakfast. It has its charm, but Washington feels like a vibrant dream come true for me.
How does the culture in Washington compare to Kansas?
Even in a big city in Kansas, there’s a small-town feel. But in Washington, especially Seattle, it feels different. I know there are good people there, but I’m not really a city person. Bellingham, however, has that small-town attitude. People here feel more connected and community-minded. In bigger cities, there’s often a sense of isolation. I tend to trust people until they give me a reason not to.
What can you tell me about your work at the food bank?
On Mondays, I help pack groceries for deliveries. Once a month, I pick up bread from Franz. On Tuesdays, I check people in and jump in wherever I’m needed.
Volunteering means doing what’s needed without restrictions. I love my community. Living in a place with few neighbors can feel isolating, but the food bank is my social hub. After volunteering here for some time, I know about 95% of the people who come through the doors. Seeing their faces light up when I recognize them brings me joy. Making others feel good is what drives me.
