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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] Feb. 26, 2013 Mayor honors Kiwanis Club couple as Volunteers of the Month for February MARYSVILLE – Mayor Jon Nehring is proud to honor Mike and Elaine Ferri as Volunteers of the Month for February for their indispensable volunteer work through the Marysville Kiwanis Club and Marysville Community Food Bank. Mike has been active in the Marysville Kiwanis Club for over 40 years, while Elaine has been a member for 15. Both have served as President and in various officer positions. Mike is currently serving as Treasurer; Elaine is Past-President. The Ferris are actively involved with the Marysville Community Food Bank on behalf of Kiwanis, and they play a large part in the annual holiday All-City Food Drive, which kicks off the first Saturday of November. They coordinate distribution of the red holiday food barrels to more than 70 stores and other public places for the food bank. Mike has been volunteering at the food bank for eight years, serves on the Toy Store Committee, and helps on food distribution days when he can. He makes the rounds regularly to distribute and pick up the barrels, and to ensure they're in good shape. The barrels provide an easy way for people to donate food and toys to less fortunate families. Last year’s drive and related donation activities generated 20 tons of food to assist about 1,300 families, and put about 1,000 toys in the hands of happy children, making their holiday a little brighter. “It goes without saying that Mike and Elaine go above and beyond in their community service, giving selflessly of themselves to make the lives of others better,” Mayor Nehring says. The Ferris are quick share credit and accolades to the entire volunteer corps. Mike is a retired Postmaster; Elaine worked as a secretary at Central Washington University in Ellensburg where they met, and retired from Everett Community College in November 2005. Both are from Yakima and moved to Marysville in 1984. Though both are retired, they haven’t slowed down their hand in working to make a better community. The Ferris are also active in the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association. ---PAGE BREAK--- 1049 State Ave. * Marysville, Washington 98270 * (360) 363-8000 * web: marysvillewa.gov From fundraisers to food drives, the Ferris have reached out to their community to help make Marysville a friendlier and caring place, mostly through their involvement in Kiwanis. Nehring applauds Marysville’s service clubs such as Kiwanis, Rotary, Soroptimist and the Lions that regularly give of their time and resources to contribute towards a better future for children and all members of the community. He adds that the City’s Parks and Recreation Department knows that it can count on support and involvement from Kiwanis to help with some of their most popular community events. Events include the Annual Youth Fishing Derby and Pancake Breakfast at Kiwanis Pond in Jennings Park, Father-Daughter Valentines Dance, providing free popcorn at the Popcorn in the Park Summer Movie Series; and food service at events like Touch-a-Truck, Poochapalooza, for the Holidays and other venues. “If you have ever attended these events, there is a good chance that you met Mike or Elaine, if you don’t know them already,” Nehring said. Mike and Elaine have been married for 32 years. They have three daughters and four grand-kids. When not doting on their grandchildren, they love to travel.