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1049 State Ave. * Marysville, Washington 98270 * (360) 363-8000 * web: marysvillewa.gov Office of the Mayor News Release Contact: Doug Buell, Community Information Officer Office: (360) 363-8086 Cell: (425) 754-3641 Email: [EMAIL REDACTED] June 13, 2012 Mayor honors youngest Volunteer of the Month recipient for his contributions at community center, park events MARYSVILLE – Mayor Jon Nehring is pleased to honor Tyler Van Brocklin as Volunteer of the Month for May for contributions at the community center and city Parks and Recreation events. “Tyler is an outstanding 14-year-old who is proving that you’re never too young to be an asset to the community you call home,” said Mayor Jon Nehring at the June 11 City Council meeting where Van Brocklin was honored. Nehring applauded Van Brocklin for his desire to make a difference. “Through his promising leadership, initiative, positive actions and the satisfaction that comes from helping others, Tyler is gaining a life-changing perspective and lessons that he will serve him for the rest of his life.” Four years ago, Van Brocklin began volunteering at the Parks Department and Ken Baxter Community Center. He has taught seniors how to play the Nintendo Wii system, helped out with annual community center BBQs and assisted with children’s crafts at for the Holidays events. His warm personality has rubbed off on community center visitors in other ways, too. As Community Center Coordinator Maryke Burgess tells it, Van Brocklin was at the center one day when he asked whether an Amish fireplace in the facility’s card room heated up the entire room. Burgess said it does a good job, but probably not the entire room. A few months later, Van Brocklin surprised the community center with a $340 check to help toward the purchase of a second fireplace. “Now the participants can be warm in the winter and enjoy the look of a fireplace instead of just a wall heater,” Nehring said. Van Brocklin raised the money through his volunteer work in the senior program at New Life Church. Volunteers serve meals to senior a couple of Saturday each month, and while it isn’t ---PAGE BREAK--- 1049 State Ave. * Marysville, Washington 98270 * (360) 363-8000 * web: marysvillewa.gov required, senior insist on leaving tips for the volunteers, which the young man then combined with his own money to buy the fireplace. Van Brocklin enjoys horticulture, computers and systems management and energy conservation, talents and interests that he enjoys incorporating into ways that he can help others. To the delight of his proud mother Vicki, who attended the City Council meeting, her son also enjoys housework and keeping the house clean, ever-conscientious that she works a busy and demanding full-time job. “Tyler is a thoughtful and caring person who enjoys making a difference,” said Nehring. “He enjoys volunteering, and he has fun doing it.”