Showing posts sorted by date for query life changer award. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by date for query life changer award. Sort by relevance Show all posts

Life Changer Award 2021 – Call for Nominations

Saturday, May 1, 2021

Do you know someone who has made life better for others? That someone might be a friend, a teacher, a doctor, a pastor or anyone? 

You can gain recognition for that deserving person by nominating him or her for an American Legion Life Changer Award. It’s easy to nominate someone and a successful nomination will provide a wonderful reward for that deserving person who has made life better for others in their community.

The person who has made lives better does not need to be veteran or associated with the military or military organizations.

The Starr Sutherland Jr. Post 227 of The American Legion has sponsored the Life Changer Award since 2012. Post members will select the winner. The winner will receive a framed certificate and a $200 award.

The 2020 Life Changer Awardee was Gary Walderman, founder and director of Hero’s Café Lynnwood whose mission is to bring together area Veterans through monthly meetings creating new friendships and to raise funds and services to meet the many needs of Military Veterans. Other awardees can be found here from Shoreline Area News: https://www.shorelineareanews.com/search?q=life+changer+award

Nominations can be made by submitting (up to 300 words) describing how your nominee made life better. Include the full name, address and phone number of the nominee as well as your full name, address and phone number. Email your nomination (before June 1, 2021) to: starrsutherlandjrpost227@gmail.com

You can also send your nomination to American Legion Post 227, P.O. Box 55193, Shoreline, WA 98155. Questions about the Life Changer Award program can be directed to the email or P.O. Box addresses above.



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Gary Walderman is the Life Changer Award recipient of 2020

Wednesday, April 14, 2021

Commander Larry Fischer presenting the 2020 Life Changer Award to Gary Walderman


By Doug Cerretti

Gary Walderman is the Life Changer Award recipient of 2020.

Commander Larry Fischer of the Shoreline American Legion Post 227 presented the award to Gary at Heroes' Café Shoreline March 9, 2021. The award presentation was delayed due to the pandemic.

Gary Walderman was recognized for his dedicated service to veterans with outreach to Sebastian House and nine retirement homes in the Lynnwood-Edmonds area. Gary began working on the concept of the Hero’s Café in connection with a team under the Mayor of Lynnwood’s strategic plan to make Lynnwood a Veteran Friendly community.

In 2016 Heroes' Café, founded by Gary and his team, began with donations as a free stop-in lunch gathering for Veterans. The mission of Hero’s Café is to bring together area Veterans through monthly meetings creating new friendships and to raise funds and services to meet the many needs of Veterans.

To date, Gary and his dedicated team have devoted 1,800 service hours and have served food to over 1,330 veterans in this once a month gathering. Gary received a $200 check from Post 227.

The American Legion Post 227 created the Life Changer Award in 2012 to recognize people who have made life better for others in their community.



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Nominations open for Life Changer Award

Saturday, March 7, 2020

YOU likely know someone who has made life better for others. That someone might be a friend, a teacher, a doctor, a pastor or anyone.

YOU can gain recognition for that deserving person by nominating him or her for an American Legion Life Changer Award. It’s easy to nominate someone and a successful nomination will provide a wonderful reward for that deserving person.

To make a nomination, write up to 300 words describing how your nominee made life better. Include the full name, address and phone number of the nominee, as well as your full name, address and phone number. Then, before May 1, 2020, email the nomination to the following email address: P227al@gmail.com

If you prefer, you can mail the nomination to American Legion Post 227, PO Box 55193, Shoreline, WA 98155-0193.

The Life Changer award is sponsored by the Starr Sutherland Jr. Post 227 of the American Legion. Post members will select the winner. The winner will receive a framed certificate plus a $200 gift certificate for dining at Ray’s Boathouse, with a majestic view of Puget Sound.

Any questions about the awards program can be directed to the email address. That special someone, who has made life better for you or for others that you know, deserves recognition and YOU can get it for him or her.



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Valentine's theme for February Kiwanis dinner meeting

Sunday, February 9, 2020

The North Central Seattle Kiwanis Club will meet from 6:30 to 8:00pm Thursday, February 20, 2020 at the 125th Street Grill, 12255 Aurora Avenue North.

The Grill is located at the SW corner of 125th Street and Aurora Avenue. The evening will begin with a meal served by the restaurant.

After the meal, those in attendance will be invited to share their favorite memories of Valentines day, such as their best or worst Valentine's day, how they met their significant other, etc.

They can also enjoy Valentine's candy and read a brief history of Valentine's Day. 

Carroll Goering will make a short presentation about The American Legion Life Changer Award, which has been awarded annually beginning in 2012. 

During that time, seven members of our Kiwanis Club have played important roles in the award program. 

During the presentation, those in attendance will be invited to identify those seven members.

All Kiwanis members and members of the public are welcome to attend. Attendees who are not Kiwanis members are requested to RSVP



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Post 227 Life Changer Award given to woman who helped a homeless family

Sunday, September 8, 2019

Post 227 Commander Richard White presenting
a Life Changer Award to Shannon Lyons
Photo by Jerry Pickard


SHANNON LYONS
2019 Winner of The American Legion, Post 227, Life Changer Award


On Tuesday September 3rd, 2019 The American Legion Post 227's annual Life Changer Award was given to Mrs. Shannon Lyons for her outstanding help to a homeless couple.

This award is given annually to a person who is nominated by community members for their outstanding service to the community.

Her story:

When Shannon Lyons learned that a homeless wheelchair-bound man, his wife and young daughters were in dire straits, she acted. All the shelters were full when Shannon found them. They were standing in the rain and cold beside Aurora Avenue. They had only a single shopping cart and a few bags hanging on the back of the man’s wheelchair. The man suffered from a disease which cost him the use of his arms and legs.

Shannon, her neighbor and their teen-age daughters loaded food and clothing into a car and went to rescue the homeless family. Using her own money, Shannon rented them a room in a local hotel. She then mounted a campaign that raised over $12,000. With the man’s social security income, it was enough to rent the family a house that Shannon helped them find.

By rescuing the homeless family, Shannon Lyons certainly made life better for them. She is the winner of The American Legion Post 227’s 2019 Life Changer Award.




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American Legion seeks nominations for Life Changer Award

Monday, March 4, 2019

The American Legion Post 227 is getting ready to award its annual Life Changer award and is seeking nominations from members of the local community.

LIFE CHANGER AWARD

• YOU likely know someone who has made life better for others. That someone might be a friend, a teacher, a doctor, a pastor or anyone. YOU can gain recognition for that deserving person by nominating him or her for an American Legion Life Changer Award. It’s easy to nominate someone and a successful nomination will provide a wonderful reward for that deserving person.

• To make a nomination, write up to 300 words describing how your nominee made life better. Include the full name, address and phone number of the nominee, as well as your full name, address and phone number. Then, before May 1, 2019, email the nomination HERE

If you don’t have email, you can send the nomination to American Legion Post 227, PO Box 55193, Shoreline, WA 98155-0193.

• The Life Changer award is sponsored by the Starr Sutherland Jr. Post 227 of the American Legion. Post members will select the winner. The winner will receive a framed certificate plus a $200 gift certificate for dining at the enchanting Sky City restaurant atop the Seattle Space Needle.

• Any questions about the awards program can be directed to the above email address. That special someone, who has made life better for you or for others that you know, deserves recognition and YOU can get it for him or her.



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The American Legion marks its 100th Anniversary

Thursday, January 31, 2019

The cake served at the January 8, 2019 meeting of Post 227
Photo by Jerry Pickard


By Carroll Goering and Jerry Pickard

At 11:00am on Monday, November 11, 1918, the guns fell silent to fulfill the agreement that had been signed earlier at Compiegne, France. The Great War, at it was called at the time, was finally over. The Allies, including the American Expeditionary Force led by General Pershing, had defeated the aggressor, Germany.

It was hoped at the time that it would be “the war to end all wars”, but that hope was dashed two decades later when Germany again attacked her European neighbors. The European neighbors, joined by the Americans, fought Germany again in what became WWII. The original Great War then became known at WWI.

From March 15 to 17, 1919, members of the American Expeditionary Force convened in Paris for the first American Legion caucus. They met again from May 8 to 10, 1919, and adopted “The American Legion” as the official name of a new organization. A draft preamble and constitution were approved. Meeting on June 9, the National Executive Committee adopted the Legion emblem.

On September 16, 1919, The US Congress chartered The American Legion. From November 10 to 12, 1919, the first American Legion convention was held in Minneapolis. The delegates approved the preamble and constitution. They also voted, 361 to 323, to place the national headquarters of The American Legion in Indianapolis. Indianapolis was chosen over Washington, DC. Finally, the delegates approved a resolution in support of the Boy Scouts of America, support that has continued to the present time.

During its first century of existence, The American Legion worked tirelessly to secure improved benefits for military veterans and created numerous programs to help local communities, especially the youth of those communities. The Legion has accumulated a long list of accomplishments. There are too many to recount in this story but the most important of them can be seen at The American Legion Post 227 website

Today, the American Legion has over 2.4 million members in more than 14,000 posts world wide. The posts are organized into 55 departments, one each for the 50 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, France, Mexico and the Philippines. Within each state department are geographic Areas, Districts and local Posts.

The Department of Washington, with 23,599 members, contains 4 Areas, 12 Districts and 160 local Posts. Legion members belong to Posts, Post Commanders report to District Commanders, District Commanders report to Area Commanders, Area Commanders report to Department Commanders and Department Commanders report to the National Commander.

Dept. of Washington Commander Roach speaking at the January 9, 2019 meeting of Post 227.
Photo by Jerry Pickard


Starr Sutherland, Jr. Post 227 is The American Legion local post in Shoreline. The Post building is located at 14521 17th Avenue NE. The post was chartered March, 1948 and was named for First Lt. Starr Sutherland, Jr., who was killed in the Battle of the Bulge in WWII and is buried in Luxembourg Cemetery. Starr graduated from Lincoln High School in the Wallingford area and enrolled at the University of Washington. In 1943, with the war underway, he left the University of Washington to join the Army.

Post 227, along with 12 other Posts, is in District 11 and Area 1 of the Department of Washington. Post 227 meets the first Tuesday evening of each month at the Post building. Post 227 interacts with the local communities in various ways, including sponsoring boys to attend Boys State, hosting pancake breakfasts and a summer BBQ, awarding a Life Changer Award annually to a community member who makes life better for others, and inviting all veterans and visitors to attend Post meetings, which usually feature a speaker discussing some aspect of military life or history.

Most American Legion Posts have a women’s Auxiliary where wives of veterans meet and conduct programs in support of the local Post. Post 227 has a woman’s Auxiliary that was chartered about the same time, March, 1948, that Post 227 was chartered. The Post 227 Auxiliary raises funds in various ways, including distributing poppies each spring in exchange for donations and conducting rummage sales.

The celebration of the 100th anniversary of the American Legion began at the 2018 national convention that was held at Minneapolis, Minnesota, the site of the first American Legion convention.

Local posts, including Post 227, also celebrated the centennial. At their monthly meeting on January 8, 2019 Post 227 invited Department of Washington Commander Gary Roach to speak. Roach spoke about the American Legion and plans for celebrating the 100th Anniversary.

After the Commander’s talk, those in attendance had cake and ice cream. The cake was adorned with 10 candles, one for each decade of the Legion’s existence. As the candles were blown out, the attendees sang “happy anniversary” for the Legion.

The centennial year will conclude at the 2019 American Legion national convention, to be held August 23-29 at Indianapolis, Indiana, the home of the American Legion national headquarters.



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American Legion awards 2018 Life Changer and hears from Afghanistan combat veterans

Friday, September 7, 2018

From left, Christina Frappier, Ruby Takushi, and Larry Fischer
By Carroll Goering
Photos by Jerry Pickard

American Legion Post 227 members had an eventful evening at their meeting on Tuesday, September 4, 2018.

The Post’s Life Changer award was presented to the 2018 winner, Ruby Takushi, for founding Recovery Café in Seattle as a refuge of Healing, Hope, and Transformation for those suffering from drug or alcohol addictions. The Café offers food and a variety of healthy activities.

In a survey, over 90% of the participants had increased hope and decreased use of drugs and/or alcohol. The award was presented by Christina Frappier, who chaired the selection committee. Takushi was nominated by her friend, Helen Christ, who was in the audience to observe the award presentation.

From left, Tom Young, Daniella Young and Larry Fischer
Post Commander Larry Fischer introduced the invited speakers for the evening, Tom and Daniella Young, who served in combat in Afghanistan.

Tom’s father loved flying a light plane and taught Tom to fly. When Tom joined the Army in 2000, he applied to be a helicopter pilot but was not admitted to flight school.

He became an Army Private but was eventually assigned to be a helicopter mechanic. He later reapplied to flight school and was admitted.

After the 9/11 attacks, Tom was recalled from home leave to begin preparing for combat. He served eight combat tours in Afghanistan, first as a mechanic for CH-47 helicopters and later as a pilot with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer.

In 2009, Tom and his crew were shot down in Afghanistan. Tom was able to get the helicopter to the ground without losing a crew member but his gunner lost part of his leg from the ground attack.

Daniella’s grandfather joined an extreme religious cult and moved to South America with the cult. Daniella’s mother was a cult member when she gave birth to Daniella. Daniella was able to escape from the cult and return to the U.S. 

She joined the Army and became a combat intelligence officer and part of the first group of women to conduct combat operations in a war zone. As a US Army Officer, Daniella was a consultant to high level leadership, led teams of soldiers, and created strong teams. She served two tours in Afghanistan with honor.

Tom and Daniella met on the flight from Fort Campbell, Kentucky to Bagram, Afghanistan. They had their first ‘date’ at Green Beans coffee while deployed together. Daniella was Battalion intelligence officer and Tom was a standardization officer and instructor pilot for the unit. After Daniella’s second combat tour, they were married and she retired from the Army.

Daniella is CEO of Cultural Forte, a culture and innovation consulting firm. She has worked with CEO’s, government, military and non-profit leaders to help them make culture their forte, increasing business results by up to 700%. Tom is currently stationed at JBLM and they will be in the Seattle area until Tom retires in 2020. They love to fly private airplanes to wine country, run marathons and swim in the lakes with Lorelei, their trilingual 2-year-old daughter.



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Captain and Mr. Young: Love and helicopters in modern warfare

Wednesday, August 29, 2018

The American Legion Post 227 in Shoreline will hold their monthly meeting on Tuesday evening, September 4, 2018. A meet and greet starts at 6:30pm and the program starts at 7:00pm. 

The meeting will be held at Post 227, located at 14521 17th Ave NE, Shoreline 98155.

The 2018 winner of the Post 227 Life Changer award will be presented with a framed certificate and a $200 gift certificate.

Then Daniella Young, CEO of a culture and innovation consulting firm and an expert on team building, will discuss her experiences as a US Army captain serving two years in Afghanistan with honor.

Her husband, Chief Warrant officer Tom Young, served eight combat tours as an Army helicopter pilot and survived being shot down in Afghanistan. There will be an opportunity for questions after the presentation.

While you are at the meeting, you can check out the Post Library that includes a large collection of militarily related books, video tapes and DVDs. Any of these can be checked out, used and returned by post members and community without charge. Also check out the Post 227 website.

A brief intermission for refreshments after the talk will allow visitors to depart. Post 227 members are urged to stay for the post meeting that will follow the intermission.

We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.


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American Legion Post 227 wants to increase its community partnerships

Saturday, June 16, 2018

The officers of The American Legion Starr Sutherland, Jr. Post 227 seek to partner with members of the surrounding communities for mutual benefit. Such partnerships are already underway in a number of areas, as indicated below.

Four of the boys that Post 227 sponsored for
Boys State are shown with
Post Vice Commander, Raymond Coffey.
In recent years, Post 227 has invited a speaker to speak at each monthly meeting. The meetings are held on the first Tuesday evening of each month.

The speaker usually discusses some aspect of military history, which might include his/her own experiences in the US military.

The meetings are widely advertised and members of the community, whether veterans or not, are specifically invited to attend to hear the speaker.

By leaving their email address on the meeting attendance form, visitors can be added to a list of persons receiving personal notices of future meetings.

Usually, a report on the speaker’s talk is published in the Shoreline Area News. You can access an example of these reports at this link.

A few of the items in the library.
Post 227 maintains a library containing books, magazines, DVDs and Video Tapes relating to the military. Any veteran or civilian member of the community is welcome to check out, use and return any item in the library without charge.

Several times each year, Post 227 holds a pancake breakfast for veterans and all members of the surrounding communities.

The breakfasts are prepared and served by Post members, sometimes with help from members of the community.

Post member Russ Greaby cooking
burgers and hot dogs at one of the BBQs.
Each summer, Post 227 holds a BBQ for veterans and members of the surrounding communities. 

The BBQs are prepared and served by Post members, sometimes with help from members of the community.

Post 227 sponsors boys from local high schools to participate in Boys State

In the one-week experience, they learn leadership skills and become familiar with governmental activities.

Shoreline Veterans Plaza
A Veterans Recognition Plaza was conceptualized and developed at Shoreline City Hall under the leadership of post members. The Plaza, shown in the picture, is located on the lawn north of the Shoreline City Hall. 

The red brick plaza is paved with bricks that are engraved with the names and service records of people who have served in the US military. Many bricks are not yet engraved. For a fee of $100, you can have a brick engraved with the name and service record of a person of your choice.

Post 227 sponsors an annual Life Changer Award. Each year, members of the community are invited to nominate persons who have made life better for others. You can read about the Life Changer Award in the Shoreline Area News here.

Post 227 must generate the funding needed to carry out Post activities. Member dues provide some annual funding and are supplemented by donations received at our periodic breakfasts and annual BBQ.

Post members serving breakfast at one of the tables.
The Post needs additional funding to carry out our mission. 

You can help by making a tax-deductible cash donation. Donating is easy. Simply go to the Post website. Then click on the DONATIONS button on the left side of the page. The donations page that pops up will explain why the donation is tax deductible and briefly describe some Post activities. Next, clicking on the yellow Donate button will take you to a page that will guide you through the donation process.

The members of Post 227 are grateful to the members of the surrounding communities for the support they have given our Post and we look forward to extending our partnership far into the future.

All photos by Jerry Pickard


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Last call for nominations for the American Legion Life Changer Award

Thursday, April 26, 2018

2015 Life Changer Virginia Harvey
with Commander Richard White
Photo by Jerry Pickard
You likely know someone who has made life better for others. That someone might be a friend, a teacher, a doctor, a pastor or anyone.

You can gain recognition for that deserving person by nominating him or her for an American Legion Life Changer Award.

It’s easy to nominate someone and a successful nomination will provide a wonderful reward for that deserving person.

To make a nomination, write up to 300 words describing how your nominee made life better. Include the full name, address and phone number of the nominee, as well as your full name, address and phone number. Then, before May 1, 2018, email the nomination.

Or send the nomination to American Legion Post 227, PO Box 55193, Shoreline, WA 98155-0193.

The Life Changer award is sponsored by the Starr Sutherland Jr. Post 227 of the American Legion. Post members will select the winner. The winner will receive a framed certificate plus a $200 gift certificate for dining at the enchanting Sky City restaurant atop the Seattle Space Needle.

Any questions about the awards program can be directed to this email address. That special someone, who has made life better for you or for others that you know, deserves recognition and YOU can get it for him or her.


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Nominations still open for American Legion Life Changer Award

Friday, March 30, 2018

Chaplain Larry Fischer presents the 2016
award to Kim and Brad Lancaster
 
You likely know someone who has made life better for others. That someone might be a friend, a teacher, a doctor, a pastor or anyone.

You can gain recognition for that deserving person by nominating him or her for an American Legion Life Changer Award. It’s easy to nominate someone and a successful nomination will provide a wonderful reward for that deserving person.

See They Changed Lives to read about previous winners.

To make a nomination, write up to 300 words describing how your nominee made life better.

Include the full name, address and phone number of the nominee, as well as your full name, address and phone number. Then, before May 1, 2018, email the nomination.

Or send the nomination to American Legion Post 227, PO Box 55193, Shoreline, WA 98155-0193.

The Life Changer award is sponsored by the Starr Sutherland Jr. Post 227 of the American Legion. Post members will select the winner. The winner will receive a framed certificate plus a $200 gift certificate for dining at the enchanting Sky City restaurant atop the Seattle Space Needle.

Any questions about the awards program can be directed to the above email address. That special someone, who has made life better for you or for others that you know, deserves recognition and YOU can get it for him or her.



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Nominate a deserving person for the Life Changer award

Sunday, March 4, 2018


2012 Life Changer Award to Lea Coates
You likely know someone who has made life better for others. That someone might be a friend, a teacher, a doctor, a pastor or anyone. 

You can gain recognition for that deserving person by nominating him or her for an American Legion Life Changer Award.

It’s easy to nominate someone and a successful nomination will provide a wonderful reward for that deserving person.

To make a nomination, write up to 300 words describing how your nominee made life better. Include the full name, address and phone number of the nominee, as well as your full name, address and phone number.

Then, before May 1, 2018, email the nomination or send the nomination to American Legion Post 227, PO Box 55193, Shoreline, WA 98155-0193.

The Life Changer award is sponsored by the Starr Sutherland Jr. Post 227 of the American Legion. Post members will select the winner. The winner will receive a framed certificate plus a $200 gift certificate for dining at the enchanting Sky City restaurant atop the Seattle Space Needle.

Any questions about the awards program can be directed to the above email address. That special someone, who has made life better for you or for others that you know, deserves recognition and you can get it for him or her.



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Nominate someone for the Life Changer award

Friday, February 23, 2018

Send your nominations to P227al@yahoo.com



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They Changed Lives

Thursday, January 25, 2018

By Carroll Goering
Photos by Jerry Pickard

In January 2012, the American Legion Starr Sutherland, Jr. Post 227 in Shoreline initiated a new program to serve the community. They called it the Life Changer Award program.

Flyers were distributed to churches, schools, neighborhood associations, and businesses in Shoreline and surrounding communities, urging people to nominate candidates for the award. The flyer included these words:

“Has your life been changed for the better by another person? If so, you can nominate that person for a Life Changer Award. The person who changed your life profoundly for the better might be a teacher, a parent, a friend, a doctor, a pastor or anyone. This is your chance to thank that person by nominating him/her for the Life Changer Award.”

Since 2012, the award has been offered annually. Each year, nominations are due by May 1. Then a committee of Post 227 members selects the winner. In an award ceremony conducted at post headquarters, the winner receives a framed certificate signed by the post commander and a $200 gift certificate to dine at the Sky City Restaurant atop the Seattle Space Needle.


Lea Coats (on left) with nominator Mrs. Lee (center)
while Past Commander Tom Drapac looks on.
The first winner was Mrs. Lea Coats, wife of an Everett Police officer. Her nomination came after the marriage of a young couple with three children was in danger of breaking up due to the death of the wife’s father and severe illness of her husband.

Despite having four children of her own and being pregnant with her fifth child, Lea provided sustained, wise counsel that enabled the young couple to weather the storm and stay together. Lea was recognized at a luau held at post headquarters in August, 2012.


From left, Post 227 member Carroll Goering,
winner Bill Briggs, Sr. and Bill’s friend, Ken Hubbard.
Bill Briggs, Sr., of Kenmore, won the Life Changer award in 2013. Over a 40-year period, Bill enabled several thousand kids with physical disabilities to attend Camp Casey, a week-long summer camp, free of charge. At different times, he served as Camp Casey cook, counselor, director, fund raiser and benefactor. 

He did this as a member of the North Central Seattle Kiwanis club, the Camp Casey sponsor. Bill was unable to attend the award ceremony due to illness but he asked his friend, WWII navy veteran Ken Hubbard, to stand in for him. Later, post member Carroll Goering accompanied Ken to Bill’s home to present the award to him.


Post Commander Shane Freund presenting the
 2014 Life Changer award to Barbara Williams.
In 2014, the Life Changer award was won by Lake Forest Park resident Barbara Williams, who has spent much of her life serving children with disabilities. As a high school student, she served as a counselor for Kiwanis Camp Casey, a free one-week camp held on Whidbey Island each summer for children with physical disabilities. Later she served as a therapist in the public schools.

After retirement, she became the volunteer director of the Kiwanis Camp Casey program. She is the main driver in raising the $50,000 in funding needed annually and in all other aspects of putting on the camp. Barbara and her husband Paul attended the September 2, 2014 meeting of Post 227, where post commander Shane Freund presented her with the award.


Post 227 Commander Richard White presenting
a Life Changer Award to Virginia Harvey.
In 2015, the Life Changer Award was won by Seattle resident Virginia Harvey. She served as a volunteer at Veterans Hospital twice weekly for more than 15 years, traveling there by Seattle Transit. In addition to delivering blood and other tasks, she moved ailing veterans throughout the hospital in their wheelchairs. 

She certainly made life better for many ailing veterans. Post 227 Commander Richard White presented the Life Changer award to Virginia at the September 1, 2015 meeting of the post.


Post 227 chaplain Larry Fischer presenting the 2016
 Life Changer Award to Kim and Brad Lancaster.
Shoreline residents Kim and Brad Lancaster received the Life Changer Award in 2016. In the fall of 2015, a group of homeless people were desperate. They had been living in tents by a Shoreline church when the property was sold. The group, including families with children, had nowhere to go. That’s when Kim and Brad invited the homeless group to camp in their backyard.

They also offered the group the use of their kitchen, bathroom and laundry facilities. Four months later, these homeless people were able to get on their feet and acquire housing. Kim and Brad certainly made life better by opening their hearts and home to these homeless folks. Post Chaplain Larry Fischer presented the Life Changer Award to the Lancasters at the September 6 meeting of the post.


Past Commander Richard White, left, and Vice Commander
Ray Coffey presenting the Life Changer Award to Leah Setala.
Leah Setala won the Life Changer award in 2017. As a music and band teacher at St. Luke School in Shoreline, Leah goes the extra mile to help children learn to play and enjoy music. When families find that band instruments are beyond their means, Leah helps them acquire used instruments. Those families love hearing their children play music but know none of it would have been possible without Leah.

In their spare time, Leah and her husband acquire furniture and other household items at rummage sales and yard sales. They recondition items needing repair. Then they donate them to the needy at St. Francis House in downtown Seattle. By helping children to play and enjoy music and by helping the needy, Leah made a positive difference in the lives of others. She received the Life Changer Award at the July 15 BBQ of Post 227.


Post 227 is grateful to the persons who took the time to nominate candidates for the Life Changer award. Special congratulations are due to the following people who submitted winning nominations: He Youn Lee nominated the 2012 winner, Lea Coats. Ray Walters nominated the 2013 winner, Bill Briggs, Sr. Mike Servais nominated Barbara Williams, the 2014 winner. The 2015 winner, Virginia Harvey, was nominated by Joyce Crandall. Bettelinn Krizek Brown and Linda Stein nominated the 2016 winners, Kim and Brad Bradford. Bob Grasmick nominated the 2017 winner, Leah Setala.

Post 227 hopes to continue offering the Life Changer award annually as long as members of the community continue to nominate worthy candidates. A flyer announcing the 2018 competition will be coming soon. Watch for it in the Shoreline Area News.

Correction to name: Kim and Brad Lancaster

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Post 227 Legion hears from Boys State reps and presents Life Changer award

Saturday, September 16, 2017

The meeting started with a chicken dinner. 
Text and photos by Jerry Pickard

On Tuesday, September 5, 2017, Post 227 honored the recipient of its Life Changer award and the boys who were selected to attend Boys State. 

Vice Commander Ray Coffey called the meeting to order. The first order of business was The Post 227's "Life Changer" Award.

Leah Setala, 2017 Life Changer
This years recipient was Mrs. Leah Setala. The presentation was made by Selection Committee Chair Christina Frappier. Christina read the citation. as follows:

Leah Setala is the winner of the 2017 American Legion, Post 227 Life Changer Award. As a music and band teacher at St. Luke School in Shoreline Leah goes the extra mile to help children learn to play and enjoy music. 
When families find that band instruments are beyond their means, Leah helps them acquire used instruments. Those families love hearing their children play music but know none of it would have been possible without Leah.
In their spare time, Leah and her husband acquire furniture and other household items at rummage sales and yard sales. They recondition items needing repair. Then they donate them to the needy at St. Francis House in downtown Seattle.
By helping children to play and enjoy music and by helping the needy, Leah Setala has made a positive difference in the lives of others. It is a pleasure to present her with the 2017 American Legion Life Changer award. Congratulations! Leah was also presented with dinners at the Space Needle.

Following The Life Changer Award the Post 227 sponsored Boys State attendees Jack Siefer and Riley Smith addressed the Post. Jack and Riley are both Seniors at Shorecrest High this year.

At Boy's State, a weeklong experience, the boys learn about the operations of government at local, county and state levels. They hold elections and participate in debates, passage of laws, study the court systems and all things that government controls.

Jack was elected Mayor of a local government and learned how laws are passed. They filed mock lawsuits against each other and held court positions. They learned how the legal system operates from local to state level.

Post 227 also sponsored Neil Broadwick of West Seattle High to Boy's State. Neil was unable to attend the Post meeting but sent a letter relating his experiences at Boy's State. The letter was read to the audience by Commander Coffey.

After the Boy's State presentation 2nd Vice Commander Larry Fischer recognized guests and new members and thanked them for attending the meeting. Commander Coffey closed the meeting at 8:45pm.

Upcoming speakers at Post 227 are as follows:
  • October Chaplain Roy Harrington - Veterans programs he is involved with.
  • November Michael Valiente - Vietnam war Vet speaking of many firebases he helped set up.
  • December Bob Harmon - WWll vet speaking on European war duty with General Patton. (See the movie "The Monuments Men" before this presentation.)
  • January - Michael Reagan - Vietnam Marine vet who does The Fallen Heroes portraits. He was featured on KING5 TV before the September 15th Edmonds POW/MIA event.

The public is invited to attend these presentations starting at 6:30pm on the first Tuesday of each month at Legion Hall in Shoreline, 14521 17th Ave NE, Shoreline 98155.



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Boys State representatives to speak at Legion meeting Tuesday

Monday, September 4, 2017

The boys who were selected to attend Washington Boys State will speak of their experiences at the Tuesday night meeting of the Post 227 American Legion, September 5, 2017.

The meeting will be held at Post 227 Legion Hall, located at 14521 17th Ave NE, Shoreline 98155 (on the street behind Goodwill). All military veterans, guests and people in the community are welcome to attend the program.

The public meeting begins at 6:40pm.

The 2017 winner of the Life Changer Award will be recognized.

After a short break, the Post business meeting will commence.

While at the Post, you can check out the Post library that contains many militarily related books, video tapes and DVDs. People in the community can borrow, use, and return any of these items at no charge.


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Post 227 presents Life Changer award at Tuesday meeting

Thursday, August 31, 2017

The American Legion Post 227 in Shoreline will hold their monthly meeting on Tuesday evening, September 5, 2017. At 6:00pm, a light meal will be served for post members and post affiliates.

The public is invited to attend the program, which begins at 6:40pm.

The 2017 winner of the Life Changer Award will be recognized. The boys who were sponsored by the Post 227 will speak of their experiences at Washington Boys State. There will be time for questions at the end.

A short break will follow the Boys State presentation, during which guests can depart. Post members are asked to remain for the business meeting following the break.

The meeting will be held at Post 227, located at 14521 17th Ave NE, Shoreline 98155 (on the street behind Goodwill). All military veterans, guests and people in the community are welcome to attend the program.

While at the Post, you can check out the Post library that contains many militarily related books, video tapes and DVDs. People in the community can borrow, use and return any of these items at no charge. They are encouraged to stay for the program as well. Post 227 members look forward to seeing you on September 5.



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Over 200 people at American Legion barbecue Saturday

Monday, July 17, 2017

Service Officer Russ Greaby flipping burgers for vets
Photo by Jerry Pickard
Text and photos by Jerry Pickard

Service Officer Russ Greaby and Asst. Adjutant Jerry Pickard cooked burgers and hot dogs throughout the annual barbecue for the American Legion Post 227 on Saturday.

Over 200 people attended during the course of the event.

Diners sat at inside tables or enjoyed the warm weather under canopies outside.

There was a raffle, announced by 2nd Vice Commander Larry Fischer.

Past Commander R. B. White, Leah Setala,
and 1st Vice Commander Raymond Coffey.
Five year old Symphony, whose parents are members of Post 127 in Bothell, sang the National Anthem to the delight of all and started the meeting.

Vickie Bowles of Pasco played her trumpet and sang patriotic songs   during the meal.

Chaplin Debbie Maund gave a presentation on Service Related Diseases that veterans commonly contract due to exposure to war chemicals, such as Agent Orange and spent uranium munitions.

Mrs. Leah Setala was presented with the "2017 Life Changer Award" for her work with children at St. Luke's School in Shoreline and her work at St. Francis House in downtown Seattle.



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Nominate a deserving person for a Life Changer award

Saturday, March 18, 2017

YOU likely know someone who has made life better for others. That someone might be a friend, a teacher, a doctor, a pastor or anyone.

YOU can gain recognition for that deserving person by nominating him or her for an American Legion Life Changer Award. It’s easy to nominate someone and a successful nomination will provide a wonderful reward for that deserving person.

To make a nomination, write up to 300 words describing how your nominee made life better. Include the full name, address and phone number of the nominee, as well as your full name, address and phone number. Then, before May 1, 2017, e-mail the nomination to this email address.

Or you can mail your nomination to American Legion Post 227, PO Box 55193, Shoreline, WA 98155-0193.

The Life Changer award is sponsored by the Starr Sutherland Jr. Post 227 of the American Legion. Post members will select the winner. The winner will receive a framed certificate plus a $200 gift certificate for dining at the enchanting Sky City restaurant atop the Seattle Space Needle.

Any questions about the awards program can be directed to the above e-mail address. That special someone, who has made life better for you or for others that you know, deserves recognition and YOU can get it for him or her.



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