Since 2015, the Kiwanis Club of Pullman has presented the Kiwanis Community Service Recognition Award to advance and honor community service and volunteerism in the Pullman area. Read about the most recent recipient.
Recipients of the award are outstanding contributors to the well being and environment of Pullman; an exemplary role model for Pullman’s children, men, and women; and show demonstrated commitment to civic matters and the ongoing improvement of our city.
Past recipients of the award
2022 Award – Tom and Jeri Harris
Tom and Jeri Harris arrived in Pullman almost 15 years ago in June 2007 when Tom retired from Chevron Corporation after 25 years. They contacted the Pullman Chamber of Commerce to volunteer for the Lentil Festival and Pullman Civic Theatre before they even arrived. Tom was stunned to see himself in a frontpage photo in the Daily News on the Saturday of Lentil Festival, showing him serving chili next to the mayor!
Tom and Jeri have since served Pullman as volunteers in a wide range of organizations, always giving generously of their time, talent, and leadership.
Their many activities in Pullman include:
Pullman Civic Theatre
Jeri costumed virtually all the shows for 10 years. She was president of the Board of Directors, director, stage manager, props, and front of house. Tom has been the business manager and accountant for 10 years, as well as serving on the Board of Directors and at the box office.
Whitman County Humane Society
Tom has served on the Board of Directors for several years, and continues as treasurer and business manager. He was also on the Building Committee for the construction of Animal Haven. Jeri and Tom have chaired the annual Fur Ball fundraiser for several years.
Kiwanis Club of Pullman
Jeri was secretary and president. Tom was secretary and treasurer of the club. Together, they ran the football parking fundraiser for 6 years, handled supply and logistics for Stuff the Bus for many years, and represented the club at 2 International Conventions.
YMCA
Tom was accountant for 4 years. Jeri served on the Board of Directors for 4 years.
Boost Collaborative
Jeri was on the Board of Directors for 3 years.
WSU Performing Arts
Jeri has served on the Advisory Board for 5 years. She was also costumer for many shows over 6 years.
Council on Aging – Transportation
Tom is a volunteer driver, a role he’s had for 5 years.
Pullman Arts Commission
Jeri was chairperson for 3 years.
Idaho Saint Bernard Rescue
Tom and Jeri continue to provide long distance transportation to the BIG SWEETIES.
Gladish Performing Arts Center (GPAC)
Jeri is a team member.
Blood Platelet Donations
Tom has made 311 donations (and counting).
2021 Award – Sue Guyett
Sue Guyett’s long history of service work in our community has been very deep.
She is currently board president for the newly formed Pullman Good Food Co-op and founding member of their board.
At Pullman’s Community Action Center, she spent 3 years launching the garden programming:
- building the edible landscape.
- teaming with the YMCA for food/garden/nutrition education.
- piloting hydroponics lettuce beds for CAC implementation that is still in operation.
Sue worked closely with Koppel Farms Community Garden to have CAC plots managed and producing, including developing small hoop houses for local use.
At Pullman School District, as part of her volunteer work above, she helped with food and cooking education by launching a Lincoln Middle School “Culinary Club,” teaching scratch cooking, which influenced some food service shift to scratch cooking in meal planning at the district.
Sue served on the Pullman School District Wellness Committee for two of those years.
She has been a long-time volunteer of the Pullman Chamber and Visitor Center, donating her time with the Cabaret fundraiser, helping to bring in many items for the auction as well as developed the Shopping Spree at Dissmore’s IGA.
She took on the large garden plots at St. James Episcopal Church for berry production.
In addition to her community service, Sue is lovingly committed to her family, offering support in all circumstances. Her three daughters in law and her grandchildren will attest to this, and Sue is excited at the anticipated arrival of a new grandchild at any moment.
One of the award committee members offered this personal note. “After I was injured in a car accident last spring, Sue texted and said she would be at my house on Thursday to work in my yard, and that I needed to make a priority work list for her! She ended up coming several times to get my spring garden work done for me and was not about to take no for an answer!
2020 – Tricia Grantham
Tricia Grantham has served our community in many ways since the 1970s. She worked with the Council on Aging beginning in 1979. Her tenure with that organization spanned over the next 27 years. Tricia became involved with the “birth” of the first Home Health organization in Whitman County that same year. Since 2000, Tricia has enjoyed a very meaningful relationship with the Friends of Hospice through membership on the Board of Directors. Tricia became affiliated with Pullman Regional Hospital as a volunteer in 2003. She served as president of the hospital’s Board of Commissioners for 12 years, and currently serves as the board’s vice president.
2019 – Center for Civic Engagement at WSU
2018 – Pat Wright
2017 – Glenn Johnson
2015 – Inaugural Community Service Recognition Award – Mike Heston, Pullman fire chief and community volunteer