Bellevue Volunteers of the Year Honored by Council

Two people were recognized before the Bellevue City Council Monday night as Volunteers of the Year.

Bellevue High School student and member was honored as Bellevue City Volunteer of the Year (someone who volunteers for a City program) and Bill Gill, a volunteer with Jubilee REACH, was honored as Bellevue Community Volunteer of the Year (someone who volunteers in the Bellevue community).

The awards are chosen by a panel of judges and are designed to recognize volunteers who have not only made a significant contribution to the community or an individual, but they have also gone above and beyond the call of duty, shown leadership, innovation, creativity, collaboration and partnering, according to a city press release.

Bellevue City Volunteer of the Year

The Bellevue City Volunteer of the Year award goes to Bellevue High School student Gigi Jirapolchet, who took on the leadership of the 2010 Kids Care Coat Drive Action Team. She assumed the role with great optimism and commitment, renewing and building new partnerships throughout the community.

She worked tirelessly to keep others motivated and committed, leading the group to meet and surpass their goal of collecting and distributing over 3,000 jackets and coats to needy families.   Gigi is actively involved in the Bellevue Youth Court and the Bellevue Youth Council; she is the president of the Bellevue High School Fashion Club and is involved in many other student activities and sports, but always finds time to help others when the opportunity presents itself.   

Gigi was nominated by Patrick Alina, Youth Link Coordinator.  

Bellevue Community Volunteer of the Year

Bill Gill is an active volunteer in many Jubilee REACH programs including the Before School Program, Vibes Volunteer Program, ESL and the Kid REACH Tutoring program. He also volunteers as a Caring PEER, a Jubilee REACH program that matches volunteers with individuals or families experiencing crises or facing continual challenges in daily life. Bill meets regularly with families and helps them locate the resources they need.    

He coordinates Eagle Projects at the center and mentors scouts, coordinates school supply donations for needy students and regularly does set up and clean up for all the center’s events, including preparing his famous “Irish Stew” to feed the multitudes.   

Because of his dedicated service, children have learned to read, immigrants are speaking English, needy families have beds and clothes and food, and Jubilee REACH operates in a well-equipped functional facility that serves the community with more than 30 programs.  

In addition to Jubilee REACH programs, Mr. Gill coordinates a family project—distributing food, clothing and personal items to homeless people living under the bridges of Portland during the Thanksgiving holidays. Bill’s grandchildren have taken up the cause and follow their grandfather’s example by “loving their neighbors.”  

Bill was nominated by Tom Brewer, Jubilee REACH Center’s Director of Community Services.

-- Information from the City of Bellevue

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