Nominations Being Accepted for Flash Family Inspirational Award

Department of Director Cynthia Goodwin is calling for nominations for the Flash Family Inspirational Award (FFIA). The FFIA honors a Mercer Island senior adult who exemplifies the spirit of good sportsmanship or community leadership and who possesses an optimistic attitude and friendly demeanor while acting as a role model to others.

The award is open to any 55+ senior engaged in an Island activity or sport. Seniors may be nominated for their contributions to a sport or activity for efforts in the area of organizing, actively promoting, or participating.

Goodwin calls on Islanders to nominate a senior who deserves recognition for embodying the spirit of the FFIA. The recipient of the FFIA will receive the award at the Mercer Island Farmer's Market Senior Day and ride as one of the Hometown Heroes in the Summer Celebration! parade. Past recipients include Peter Tonglao, Ginny Rees, and .

Deadline for submissions is June 15. Nominations can be submitted to Goodwin via email at cynthia.goodwin@mercergov.org or by mail:

MIYFS
Attn: Cindy Goodwin
2040 84th Ave. SE
Mercer Island, WA 98040

Questions can be directed to Goodwin at 206.275.7749.

Here's a few descriptions of the past few years' winners by MIYFS Director Cindy Goodwin:

2009 – Peter Tonglao

At the core of Peter Tonglao is the heart of a volunteer!  Peter is a volunteer that others enjoy being around.  He enjoys life, is devoted to his family and his community and this is evident to all who know or work with him. 

Peter is a caring, positive person who is always will to do whatever is needed or is asked of him.    Year after year, Peter has gone above and beyond as a volunteer for the Parks and Recreation Department – always being the first to step up to do whatever he can for his community. If Peter sees a need he is the first to step up to do it – often without being asked.  Many in the community have benefited from Peter’s generous heart and kind consideration.

He currently volunteers 1-2 days/week at the CCMV with the Senior Transportation program – either driving or assisting riders. 

-        He is currently the longest ACTIVE Senior Transportation volunteer

-        He is one of the longest original volunteers of the Parks & Rec Department

-        He is a long standing Summer Celebration volunteer

-        He actively tends to a “Pea Patch” at the CCMV with his wife Betty

-        He regularly participates in a fitness program at the CCMV

Peter adds humor to any task and as the first recipient of the Flash Family Inspirational Award, he truly embodies the positive spirit of the award and is a role model not only for seniors, but any human being working for the benefit of their community.

2010 Ginny Rees

Geeny Rees is a long time Mercer Island resident who is an active volunteer in the local community. Genny is positive, courteous and respectful of people of any age.  She exemplifies the spirit of the Flash Family Inspirational Award.

Genny’s work in the community includes:

-      Volunteering at the Thrift Shop for countless hours over many years repairing and cleaning donations of dolls and jewelry to enhance their value for sale. She also helps price donations to sell each week.

-      Chairing the Mercer Island Visual Arts League (MIVAL) junior art show for Mercer Island Summer Celebration.  She encourages local young school age artists to create art and be part of the show.  Genny helps collect and hang their art work at the Wells Fargo Bank and staffs the event.

-      Tutoring some of the nuns at her church for whom English is their second language.

-      Facilitating the Open Studio art gathering each Monday at Mercer View for over 8 years without compensation. Here she encourages a group of older artists to enjoy art in various forms. Genny has also assisted hanging various art shows at Mercer View Community Center for many years.

-      Assisting people at the voting location for the entire day during local and national election season.

Through her involvement in the Arts community, tutoring English to non-native speakers and as a Thrift Shop volunteer, Genny truly and consistently demonstrates community leadership.   Her demeanor is always friendly and she works with an optimistic attitude acting as a role model to both youth and other adults. 

2011 – Fran Call

Fran is an outdoor enthusiast being honored for leading hikes and walks for seniors for the past 13 years.  Through MI Parks and Recreation Fran has lead 3 ½ to 4 miles walks through Seattle and suburban neighborhoods.  She began in 1998 with 10 people.  In 2011 the group now has 35 to 40 members who walk each week (rain or shine) on 35 Wednesdays from September through May.  Over the past 13 years more than 200 people have participated in this activity. Currently eight members are in their 80’s, with the remainder in their 60’s and 70’s.  Most impressively, Fran is NOT PAID. She volunteers her time planning and leading these folks.

Fran has led her fellow citizens with knowledge, humor and kindness. She is an especially important leader to the senior population who surely would not have this critical opportunity without her.    She truly embodies the spirit of the Flash Family Inspirational Award.