Kim Demary

 

Passion is a great motivator when it comes to serving others and Kim Demary, Relay for Life Lake Stevens’ event chair, was filled with that passion as she led a committee and a community through the first ever Relay for Life Lake Stevens.

Because of her hard work, unyielding enthusiasm and her fierce belief that researchers will find a cure for cancer in her lifetime, Demary was chosen as the Lake Stevens Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Year.

Chloe Peterson was one of the people who nominated Demary for this award.
In her nomination application she wrote, “Because of Kim’s efforts, the city of Lake Stevens was moved to come together and raise $151,711.91 for the American Cancer Society. Even when the rain threatened to end our walk, Kim pulled through and kept everyone moving forward. Kim inspires people to do great things because she goes above and beyond with everything she does.”

Demary is also extremely modest when it comes to her efforts for Relay. She continually thanks her committee and the community at large and gives them credit for ensuring that Relay was success.

“I had an amazing committee that got the word out. Once the word was out, the town got behind it, including the youth and it took on a life of its own,” Demary said. “Even though Lake Stevens is growing, we still have that small town feel. That close-knit community encourages everyone to get involved and make anything that comes to this town a success. Relay was no different, so many in our town have been effected by cancer, bringing this cause to the forefront and giving people a way to fight back only united the community more. I was just doing what needed to be done to fight cancer. I just wanted to see more birthdays and less suffering.”

Demary was genuinely amazed when she found out that she had been chosen to be this year’s Citizen of the Year. She was also humbled to think that others had seen her as a deserving candidate for this award.

“I was very surprised and shocked. I didn’t expect it and honestly I had no idea I would even be in the running. To be nominated by more than one person is an honor. I was just doing what needed to be done to help the fight against cancer,” she said.

There is a strong belief in community service in the Demary household. Her husband Austin, daughter Alexia and son A.J. were all a large part of Relay. Her parents even drove in from Montana to help throughout the event weekend.
Witnessing the love that people have for others inspires and amazes Demary as well. When asked what she thinks community service does for a community she stated, “I would say that it brings to light the good in people. Showing that in the selfish world we live in there are still selfless people, who ask for nothing in return.”

Relay for Life and the fight against cancer continues to shape her life as she prepares to once again, stand in as Chair of the 2012 Relay for Life Lake Stevens, She has taken on a co-chair this year which will help the event grow and be in a position to help even more people fight this disease.

Demary recalls her favorite memory for Relay for Life while she prepares to make even more memories next May.
“The middle of the night at Relay is always my favorite, this year was no different,” she said. “Watching the track at 2, 3, 4 a.m. while the rain poured down, there were more people walking in the rain that I ever can remember at Relays past. Smiles on their faces, wearing raincoats and carrying umbrellas, running, walking, skipping, singing and dancing.”
Demary is extremely deserving of this award and will be honored as a guest in the Aquafest Grand Parade which begins at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 30.

Those living in Lake Stevens are lucky to have someone like Demary in their midst as written by another nominator, “She is a blessing for this community and I’ve never seen anyone work so hard and show so much passion for a cause. We are so lucky to have Kim living in Lake Stevens.”

The 2012 Relay for Life Lake Stevens will take place on May 19 and 20. They are in need of volunteers for the 2012 committee. If you are interested please let Kim know by calling 425-231-7485.

See Kim Demary in the Realy for Life Movie here http://www.lakestevensjournal.com/localentertainment/article.exm/2011-06-10_relay_for_life_lake_stevens

 

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Grace Egalstad

When 11-year-old Grace Egalstad sets her mind to something you can guarantee that it will get done. When she decided to be a part of Relay for Life Lake Stevens, Egalstad not only joined Team Aquafest but she raised over $1,500 by herself, making her the top youth fundraiser for Lake Stevens.

Relay is only one part of what she does for the Lake Stevens community. Some of her other volunteer work includes volunteering at National Night Out Against Crime and Downtown Safe Halloween and serving as a Conflict Manager at Skyline Elementary School, just to name a few.

She also served as Miss Aquafest Little Miss Queen 2010,  Miss Aquafest Goodwill Ambassador Queen 2011 and Miss Aquafest Pre-Teen Ambassador where she continues to have numerous opportunities to represent Lake Stevens in parades, fundraising walks and other community events.

This is why Egalstad was chosen as the Lake Stevens Chamber of Commerce’s Junior Citizen of the Year and why she will be riding in her own car during the Aquafest Parade this Saturday.

“Her favorite volunteer activity was this year’s Relay for Life,” Egalstad’s nominator wrote. “She has talked about wanting to be a Team Captain. I think once she is old enough she will be trying to volunteer at the cancer center in Everett. The Relay for Life organization has really resonated with her.”

Egalstad, even at such a young age, sees the blessings of serving within her community.
“I liked the fact that I was helping people with cancer and that made me push myself harder to do it,” she said of her involvement in Relay for Life. “I like doing service because it makes me feel happy inside and I know that just because I’m a kid it doesn’t mean that I can’t do things that adults can.”

As Egalstad and her parents have found out over the last couple of years, finding volunteer opportunities for such a young girl is hard to come by. Some organizations do not realize the capabilities of youth and their dedication to making the world a better place.

In her nomination application, the writer gives Egalstad kudos for her hard work and dedication to the Lake Stevens community.

“Grace has a positive outlook and a bright future ahead of her in the Lake Stevens community,” it read.
Egalstad is looking forward to participating in Aquafest this weekend and can’t wait to see the faces of parade goers as she passes them.

“I look forward to seeing all of the little kids’ faces when they smile and being able to be in the kids parade and the grand parade,” she said. “It makes me feel happy to be able to walk with them and ride with them.”

 

 

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