I’ve recently been inspired and proud of the people in our city. Residents took the disappointment of having the annual Monte Cristo Award ceremony cut from the city budget and turned it into probably the most meaningful Monte Cristo ceremony yet.

They decided the event was important to them and they made it happen.

If you don’t know, the Monte Cristo Awards were created in 1994 as a way to recognize residents that take pride in their property. Residents are nominated by neighbors and can win a plaque to proudly display on their home or business.  

To put on the award show, volunteers had to sort through entries, find a venue, solicit donations, take professional photos of the homes, contact the homeowners, arrange flowers, advertise the event, the list goes on. Countless volunteer hours were required.

The day after the Monte Cristo Awards, I saw this quote on Facebook:

Let that sink in.

Like the Monte Cristo Award volunteers, we have people all over the city volunteering to make our community one they want to live in.

On Casino Road last spring, 150 people came together with Casino Road Initiative to volunteer their ideas to help plan and build a community hub.

In the Delta Neighborhood , over 40 volunteers came together to clean up Wiggums Hollow park and surrounding areas last March.  

Leadership Launch students planned and executed a mobile dental day for low-income neighbors last June.  

My Westmont-Holly Neighborhood Association teamed up with the schools and cleaned the campuses before school started in September.  

Volunteering your time is well, time-consuming and not everyone has a ton of time to contribute, so I’ve compiled some very quick ways you can help make the community you want to live in.

• Pick up trash in your neighborhood or in the parking lot as you walk into work—you can spend as much or as little time as you have on this.

• Donate money to people who volunteer or run non-profits.

• Thank a volunteer.

• Share volunteer or non-profit posts on social media.

• Share an idea or potential solution to a problem with city government.

• Give a compliment to a neighbor or even a stranger.

• Join the PTA for a nearby school. You aren’t required to attend meetings or organize the multicultural festival, but your monetary contribution will help provide enrichment experiences for school children.  

What are other quick and easy ways to volunteer to help make our community one you want to live in? Comment below.

Linda War Bonnet represents south Everett on the Live in Everett Team. When she isn’t working, she is running the Westmont-Holly Neighborhood Association or teaching art to fourth graders. You might spot her walking her dog in the Holly neighborhood.