Sumner School District Honors Thad Huff with WASA Community Leadership Award

From the Sumner School District:

The Sumner School District recently nominated Thad Huff for the 2013 Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) Region 111 Community Leadership Award. The Award was presented at the regional WASA meeting on May 17, 2013. 

"Thad is an engaging volunteer who plays an active role in our schools and our communities," said Superintendent Craig Spencer. "He is tireless in his efforts and brings energy and enthusiasm to all that he does."

For the last several years, Thad and the Open Life Church have demonstrated compassion and drive to serve Liberty Ridge Elementary and the surrounding community. At the beginning of the school year, they provided enough school supplies to ensure that every student had what they needed to be successful.  The supplies were specific to the supply lists teachers had posted and enough were left over to help students that enrolled during the year.

Thad and the Church have supported many families at both the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.  

They orchestrated the "Big Give,” providing turkey dinners to over 750 families in need around the Bonney Lake community.  At Liberty Ridge Elementary, they took gift tags from the Holiday Giving Tree and assisted in ensuring each student of need had new clothes and a gift for Christmas.  When it appeared we would not be able to meet the needs and wants of every child, Thad and his Church donated additional money to ensure that all children and families would experience a joyful holiday.  

His impact extends beyond assisting families with basic needs.  He seeks out ways to connect with the community while building relationships based on respect.  Thad has inspired and led projects to beautify school campuses, provide additional volunteers to schools and many other community service efforts. 

Thad is active in the Bonney Lake Chamber of Commerce and has used those business connections to build a large network of support for families with partners such as WalMart.  With his help, the Sumner/Bonney Lake Family Center and the Communities for Families Coalition (CFF) of expanded their outreach efforts during the holidays and throughout the school year.

This spring as part of his participation in the CFF, Thad served as the volunteer master of ceremonies for the 20th annual Community Summit.   The Summit is preceded by a series of Youth Forums that bring community leaders, school administrators and youth together to talk about community issues and concerns.  Thad facilitated many of these sessions and also helped in planning the annual event, which brings together nearly 300 community members and youth and provides a platform for student voices.

Thad Huff has a "can do" attitude and has worked hard to serve our community, both through his ministry and in leading volunteer efforts to enhance the well-being of students and families throughout our District.  He leads with the “ask” and a sincere desire to assist, support or to be involved in community events and activities.