In recognition of April as National Volunteer Appreciation Month, Tualatin celebrates the individuals, families and groups who followed their hearts and worked with their hands to build a more connected community. Thanks to these special people, Tualatin’s future is one of hope and promise.
In 2024, over 750 volunteers contributed approximately 16,000 hours to various City programs. Volunteers planted over 2000 trees and got tough on trash in the Put Down Roots in Tualatin program. Volunteers supported library programs, helped in our Makerspace, and gave extra hours of educational support to Bridgeport Elementary students through the Homework Helpers program.
Do It Yourself volunteers scheduled their time to remove invasive plants and litter from our restoration sites and trails and over 250 summer youth volunteers came out for Library Summer Teen, TEAM Tualatin and community events.
Our community is enriched every day by volunteers in so many ways. Pickleball hosts keep the community moving. The Tualatin Historical Society volunteers to preserve our history. The Juanita Pohl Center Guest Services volunteer team leads recreational activities and creates a welcoming environment for all. Tualatin Advisory Boards and Committees guide our future. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) looks out for our safety. The Friends of the Library group supports programs and collections. Middle and high school students contribute their energy and ideas across all volunteer programs. Local corporations bring their work groups out to hug parks, resurface trails and bring the magic to community events.
Join us in celebrating and appreciating the generous hearts and willing hands of volunteers in Tualatin who give their time and talent to the community.
Outstanding Adult Volunteer: Blake Buchanan-Munro – Storytime Assistant and Homework Helper
Blake joined Tualatin Public Library’s volunteer program in 2022 as a program assistant and became an instant hit with the kids and librarians. When a Storytime Assistant was needed for Mondays, Blake offered to volunteer. She has been getting silly with stories and keeping Storytimes lively and safe for three years.
According to Children’s Librarian Sam Wikstrom, “Blake is beyond amazing! She helps in ways that are needed before I even realize the need is there. She helps create an inclusive environment where every family and child feels welcome. Blake has made Book Babies a better program.”
In the same year, Blake joined the Homework Helpers to support children at Bridgeport Elementary with critical reading, writing and math. The City of Tualatin deeply appreciates Blake’s 188 hours of energetic service and her positive impact on our youngest learners.
Outstanding Youth Volunteer: Ava Marsh
Ava Marsh began volunteering in the City of Tualatin in 2019. Ava has served as a Community Event volunteer, often recruiting her friends and family to help bring the magic to Blender Dash, Viva Tualatin and Pumpkin Regatta. Ava also gives her time to TEAM Tualatin as a summer youth volunteer. In this program, she is instrumental in maintaining city assets, parks, trails and greenspaces. Ava takes on leadership responsibilities for TEAM and sets the standard for work ethic, initiative and positive attitude.
In 2021, Ava joined the Tualatin Youth Advisory Council (YAC). In YAC, Ava has been able to use her ideas and her voice to advocate for youth and represent the voice of youth to City Council. Elected by her peers, Ava has served as co-chair for two years, and she represented the City at the National League of Cities Conference, bringing back new ideas to implement in Tualatin.
Ava’s service in multiple City programs influences the livability of Tualatin, and will benefit our community for years to come.
Outstanding Volunteer Group: Tualatin Rotary Club
The Tualatin Rotary Club has been active in our community for 45 years. The Rotary Club focuses on giving service in 5 areas: club service, community service, international service, vocational service and youth service. This group of 44 members has a long-standing history of achieving significant improvements with measurable outcomes in each of these areas of focus.
Rotarians address the community’s need for educating and mentoring the youth of Tualatin. They mentor and fund the TUHS Intercambio, raise funds and have awarded over $300,000 in scholarships, give free books to students through their Books on Wheels program, and give every third-grade student in our community a dictionary.
One of the pillars of service for Rotary is the environment. Tualatin Rotary has promoted this pillar through its involvement in City litter cleanups and restoration work. Rotarians have been cleaning up Tualatin Road twice yearly for 20 years. For the last 6 years, they have joined the City’s Hug a Street program for litter cleanup and have been planting trees with the Put Down Roots in Tualatin program. Rotary is collaborating with TUHS Environmental Club to determine how to add their service and resources to this group.
The Tualatin Rotary Club is outstanding in its service to youth, the community and the environment.
For more information on Tualatin volunteer opportunities, visit www.tualatinoregon.gov/volunteer.
