Eatonville residents resolve to ring in the new year

To commemorate the end of a challenging year locally and nationally, we asked some of Eatonville’s finest folks to share their New Year’s 2021 resolutions with the Dispatch.

Eatonville Mayor Mike Schaub: “For me, my main resolution is to spend more time with my grandkids. With as quick as 2020 has gone by, it is a reminder to take the time with family.”

Geneal Palmer, Eatonville Lions Club: “I don’t usually do resolutions. I used to say I’d lose weight and make myself exercise more, but I fail when it comes to following them.”

Bob Walter, Eatonville City Council Position 2: “My New Year’s resolutions are to avoid contracting any viruses, to get vaccinated and to work to keep our community members safe.”

Kirk Heinz, owner and operator of Kirk’s Pharmacy: “Our New Year’s resolution is to try to get back to normal once we have decided what our ‘new normal’ will be. We have been changing that definition as needed for most of the year. We also resolve to be able to provide vaccinations to anyone who wants one in 2021.”

Alana Smith, director of the Eatonville Family Agency, offered up a resolution suggestion everyone.

“Volunteering,” she said. “When you volunteer your time and efforts, it can be a beginning of a string of positive events that happen from the time you decide to help, until long after you are done. When we take time out of our busy lives and schedules to offer it to people and organizations in need, we create a positive environment. Nonprofits rely heavily on the goodwill and volunteering of others to help provide services in our community. For youth, volunteer work can be an important part of a resume and can lead to employment. Volunteering demonstrates their commitment to the community and a willingness to work for the better of others. Volunteering contributes to personal development, self-fulfillment, self-confidence and self-esteem.”

Smith offered several options for people who want to help and said volunteering is a win-win situation.

“If one family member from every family in Eatonville were to volunteer one day a year for a local school club, Chamber of Commerce event, food bank, Lions Club, American Legion or other program in Eatonville, the work needed to be done would not be left to the few that do so much, and we would begin to see positive changes through this engagement in our community. Opportunities are available with the Eatonville Community Garden, Eatonville Lions Club and with the EFA. If you are looking for a way to give back to your community and create a happy environment for yourself and the people around you, try partnering with any of the organizations or nonprofits in Eatonville. Chances are, most all of them will be so thankful to have more people helping with their cause.”