Volunteers awarded at Johnson Creek Watershed Council dinner

Find out why a ‘creek-keeping’ nonprofit, which does a lot of good in outer East Portland, had a lot to celebrate at this supper …

Guests check in at the Johnson Creek Watershed Council Volunteer and Community Appreciation Party.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Cheerful folks were heading into the Parish Hall at All Saints Episcopal Church in Woodstock – the offices of the Johnson Creek Watershed Council are located on their campus – on November 13, for their annual Volunteer and Community Appreciation Party.

Once inside, 62 attendees greeted their friends amongst the volunteers, picked a table at which to sit, and browsed the door prizes that would be given away that evening.

Chatting before the dinner are JCWC Board Chair Shirley Craddick; Board Member and leader of Friends of Tideman Johnson, Marianne Colgrove; and, Johnson Creek Cleanup Co-Coordinator Melanie Klym.

Serving as Master of Ceremonies, it’s JCWC Volunteer Program Manager Marlee Eckman.

“Tonight, we’re celebrating all of our volunteers, our partners, and members of the community who have made a huge impact on the Johnson Creek Watershed in 2024,” exclaimed JCWC Volunteer Program Manager Marlee Eckman.

“The theme of this year’s celebration is “connection” – how we can use our connection with each other to help our planet,” Eckman told East Portland News before the formal program began.

Guests take a moment to browse the prize table and choose which gift package they’d like to win.

JCWC Community Outreach Coordinator Sara Volk presents their first prize package to Tamra Dickinson. She wins a “JCWC Starter Pack – including a hat and mug, a 2024 Clean-up T-shirt bag handmade by Cathy Geiger, and two guest passes to Leach Botanical Garden.

A banquet with an Ethiopian theme is served to guests.

After guests were served supper from the buffet provided by Bete-Lukas Ethiopian Restaurant, Eckman kicked off the formal program with a prize drawing.

Volunteer turnout yields good results

“You have shown up in rain, snow, and heat to tend to the land and the creatures that call this watershed home — and on behalf of all the staff and Board. we thank you for all the incredible work you have done this year,” commended Eckman.

She reeled off a dazzling list accomplishments:

1,364 volunteers spent 4,778 hours planting, pulling, mulching, and picking up trash at 73 stewardship events.
4,966 native plants were installed, half of those during the annual Watershed Wide Event.
Pulled 8,000 sq ft – 13 three-car-garages’ worth – of unwanted vegetation from natural areas.
4.9 tons of trash was pulled out of the creek and from surrounding natural areas during the JCWC Creek Clean-up this year – including a set of brass knuckles and disco boogie shoes.
The organization connected with 750 youth and families during outreach and education events.

Next came the presentation of JCWC Volunteer Awards, grouped by the number of hours of service given to the organization by each volunteer in 2024.

Awarded for giving 20-30 hours of service are Seamus Brindley, Patricia Brent, Mandee Campos, and Augustin Mann.

Recognized for 31-40 volunteer hours are [standing] Johanna Purgiel, Catherin Goode, Carole Miles, Melanie Klym [below] Andrew Villagrana, Gail Chastain.

At the party, Sherry Burles accepts her certificate for her 41-50 hours of volunteerism.

Celebrated for having volunteered as many as 70 hours is John Powers.

Their final category of awards went to three people who volunteered more than 100 hours – they were also presented the Presidential Service Award.

JCWC Presidential Service Award recipients Marianne Colgrove, Tamra Dickinson, and Shirley Craddick proudly hold their Certificates of Appreciation.

First recognized was the longtime leader of Friends of Tideman Johnson and Chair of the JCWC fundraising committee, Marianne Colgrove.

Next was JCWC President of the Board, instrumental in helping the organization through their Executive Director transition, Shirley Craddick.

Lastly, in addition to volunteering 149 hours this year, Tamra Dickinson was also commended for organizing JCWC’s first Open House. and being a fearless leader and staff advocate.

“Finally, all of this work would also not be possible without our private donors and sponsors,” Eckman noted, as she commended:

JCWC HONOR ROLL
Mintkeski Family Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation
Portland General Electric
City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services
City of Gresham
East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District,
Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District
Multnomah County, Clackamas Water Environment Services; and
Templeton Foundation.

Recognized as JCWC’s “most dedicated volunteer” is Sima Seumalo, returning for her second AmeriCorps term as Outreach and Riparian Specialist.

Learn more about the Johnson Creek Watershed Council by visiting their website: CLICK HERE.

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