Sultan Mayor Carolyn Eslick approached Sultan youth recently with a call for essays, asking them to write a piece based on the theme "What a volunteer is.GÇ¥
From the pool of essays she received, she selected four to be presented to the community. Two were read during the Sultan Volunteer Appreciation Dinner on Tuesday, April 12. Two more were read in front of the Sultan City Council on Thursday, April 28. They were authored by Sultan Boys & Girls Club members Jacob Fettig and Ashlynn Steele.
Fettig, 9, lives in Sultan with his parents, Justin and Julianna Johnson, his brother, Tyler, and sisters, Sabella and Dakota. He has only been a member of the club for a short while, but has already made a positive impact, said Sultan Grants and Economic Development Coordinator Donna Murphy. -á -á
"Even though he has only been coming to the club just over a month, he has instantly fit in,GÇ¥ Murphy said. "He's kind, helpful and an excellent baseball player. When Jacob was asked to compete in the essay contest, he made no objections and went right to work.GÇ¥
After Fettig read his essay, he shook hands with the mayor and each of the councilmembers.
Steele is a familiar face at Sultan City Hall, as she has given public comment in the past about ways to make the community healthier. Steele, 12, has been a member of the Sultan Boys & Girls Club since last summer.
"She adds music, art and a lot of laughter to the club,GÇ¥ Murphy said. "Ashlynn has a giving spirit and is always willing to lend a hand when needed. She speaks up against injustice and has no problem speaking her mind.GÇ¥
In her essay, Steele commended Sultan Boys and Girls Club Teen Director Ruth Shapovalov, using her as an example of a volunteer. Shapovalov engages in numerous activities with the teens, never expecting anything in return, Steele said.
The thing that sticks out to her about volunteers is their generosity, she said, and the fact they are willing to give up their own time to help others in the community.
"Life has many twists and turns and humans can be mean, but with the help of anyone, everyone could live in peace,GÇ¥ Steele said. "This is what I hope, and with hope come people who will try, try to make this place called Earth the best it could be.GÇ¥
Photo by Chris Hendrickson Mayor Carolyn Eslick shakes hands with 9-year-old Jacob Fettig, one of two Sultan youths selected to read their essay about volunteerism to the Sultan City Council.
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