CCGS could not exist without their hard working, dedicated volunteers. Our volunteers are dedicated, enthusiastic, and committed. CCGS thanks them!

Volunteer Appreciation 2025

This year CCGS would like to honor three of these volunteers by adding their names to the quilt (now a banner).

Sara Metcalf serves as a volunteer librarian. As one of the society’s younger librarians, she brings her love of genealogy to our organization. Sara also takes part in other society activities whenever possible in her busy life schedule. We appreciate Sara for her help.

Stephen Poulsen has not been active with CCGS recently, but he volunteers his time as a librarian when he can and generously donated the bark for landscaping. He enjoys expressing his genealogy through the writing and sharing of family stories. Thank you, Stephen, for everything.

Sultan De Fina, like the Wizard of Oz, works behind the scenes in the shadows where nobody sees him to keep us informed. Sultan reviews the incoming emails and re-routes them to the proper person(s). This is an essential task in today’s world of technology. 

Other volunteers whom we would like to honor this year are:
Steve Aberle, (2020): It’s a bird, it’s a plane. No, it’s Steve Aberle to the rescue. So many times has Steve put off his chores to come in at the last minute to substitute or fill an open librarian slot. He also has his fingers in technology and was instrumental in securing the new projector for our meetings. He has taught many of our classes and was part of this year’s membership committee. Did we forget anything? Probably! So with that, let’s just say, thank you, Steve, for having our backs!

Gayle Klein, (2023): Is a busy lady. She volunteers as a librarian, works on promoting CCGS on many platforms, and acquires speakers for general meetings. Even while she’s in Arizona helping out the local club there, she manages to help us remotely. We would love for her to stop being a snowbird and stay here with the Vancouverites. It’s always a delight to see her smiling face.

Lowell Kenedy (2013): Serves on the CCGS board of directors in the capacity of treasurer. He is also the facility manager, so if supplies are needed in the library or if something isn’t working properly, he is notified and does his best to rectify the issue. You could refer to him as our resident handyman. He also helps with our landscape, trying to keep the weeds under control and, of course, dealing with other projects that may arise. He was chair for this year’s membership committee, and he leads the “Unfocused” focus group.

Elaine Meis (2023): The newsletter would not get to you without Elaine’s magic touch. Besides being the editor, Elaine distributes copies to the society’s membership. She is also the co-membership irector and serves on the CCGS board of directors in the capacity of assistant treasurer. Not to mention that she is a consistent librarian; you can visit with her in the library every Tuesday. Plus, if your name was embroidered on our Volunteer Appreciation quilts this year, it’s because Elaine and her machine were at work.

Denise Erkkila (2022): She has been hard at work this year seeking grants for the society, and she was successful in securing a Washington State Genealogical Society Supportive Grant Award to support our efforts to publicize our society. She keeps members in touch with all the current events in our “This Week,” publication which she sends electronically to interested parties every Sunday. Denise keeps track of the sale of the society publications and used book shelf sales, was part of the membership committee, and continues to help out where she feels she can lend her skills. Oh, and did I mention she is a volunteer librarian? Way to go Denise!

Volunteer Appreciation 2024

The following volunteers received recognition at the September General Meeting:
Gayle Klein, Judy Duncan, and Jaynie Conner had their names added to the banner in the Zimmerman Meeting Room.

In addition the following volunteers who already have their names on a book received certificates: Bea Ritter, Sharon Cleveland, Denise Erkkila, Sharon Barnes, Sharon Thiesmeyer, Richard Engstrom, Marcia Grubb, Paula Schoenlein, Mary McMonegal, Kay Cooke, Alice Allen, Brian Runyan, and Jeanine Bailiff.

We truly appreciate each and every one of you and all you do for the society.

Volunteer Appreciation 2023

Nearly 60 people were honored because of their volunteering or donating to the
society. We are grateful to these people as we could not fulfill our mission without all this help. Thank you.

We would like to honor four of these volunteers by adding their names to the quilt (now a banner). Elaine Meis, Tanaka Axberg, Sheree’ Belanger and Sandy Thompson
have been added to the bookshelf this year.

Elaine Meis not only helps with the library, but also volunteered to do the embroidery on our quilt/banners. Elaine also helped digitize the vertical files.

Tanaka Axberg has been working with the library group to do various things. We thank you for doing this. We appreciate your dedication and hard work.

Sheree’ Belanger has been leading the Family Tree Maker Focus Group.

Sandy Thompson digitized and updated our Pioneer files and has been rebinding our CCGS collection of marriage, cemetery and newspaper vital/obituary books. A member since 1981, we are especially proud of her achievements.