LARRY SAUNDERS SERVICE AWARD – 2025

Lakewood Mayor Jason Whalen was joined by Sally (Mrs. Larry) Saunders on his final occasion to preside at the last City Council meeting of 2025, on December first, concluding sixteen years of public service to the city. This was the ninth year for presentation of the Larry Saunders Service Award, an annual partnership sponsored by the City, community through Lakewood Chamber of Commerce, and the Lakewood Community Foundation Fund (LCFF). Two awards were presented, each with a beneficial grant, to recognize extraordinary community service by a Lakewood organization, person or family.

One 2025 Larry Saunders Service Award went to Ben Sclair, for twenty years of faithful editorial endeavor to publish The Suburban Times. Noted historian and journalist Walter Neary stepped forward to MC the presentation, describing Ben’s indispensable role to inform Lakewood and surrounding community of news, events, meetings, poetic excursions and tales of wonder.  

A second 2025 Larry Saunders Service Award was presented to Mary Moss, Lakewood’s Deputy Mayor, and founding and ten-year President of the Lakewood Multicultural Coalition. Mary has distinguished herself and community through more than 37 years of collaborative outreach to network problem-solvers and supporting organizational affiliation. Winning numerous honors for achievement, Mary’s imaginative leadership has drawn sustaining JBLM participation to provide scholarships, support schools and root nurturing alliance among community organizations promoting educational opportunity.

Helping with this year’s award selection were Tim Vatter, of Light Curve and President of Lakewood Chamber of Commerce, representing community, Council Member Ryan Pearson for our City, and Peggy Kennel for the LCFF. Orchestrating as always was Lakewood’s intrepid City Clerk, Briana Schumacher.

Look for the 2026 LCFF Larry Saunders Service Award nomination form next summer at lakewoodfoundation.org.

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Bob Warfield

253-588-5880

CITY of LAKEWOOD CITIZEN RECOGNITION

a brief historical record

The first Larry Saunders Service Award, recognizing Diane Formoso for (Caring for Kids) service to community in 2017, was presented at the first regular City Council meeting of the new year following, 1/16/2018.

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City Volunteer of the Year (believed named to honor LTG Wm H. Harrison, 2004 - 2007): 

• 2004   Diane Formoso (Caring For Kids); 4/4/2005; CC meeting.
• 2005   Mike Kanter (organized National Night Out events); 4/17/2006 CC meeting.
• 2006   Sandy & Jean Mazzei, (clearing signs from utility poles): 4/16/2007 CC meeting.
• 2007   Janne Hutchins, (LASA): 7/7/2008 CC meeting.
• 2008 - 2013   No record of award.
• 2014    City Council began a Volunteer Recognition Breakfast for civic volunteers, together with members of all Boards, Commissions and Neighborhood Associations  (James Taylor); 12/3/2014.
• 2015   Lakewood Volunteer Recognition Breakfast (Phil Raschke); 12/8/2015.
• 2016   Lakewood Volunteer Recognition Breakfast (Vol/Yr Unknown); 4/17/2017 (?).

Larry Saunders Service Award

• 2017   Diane Formoso (Caring For Kids) - Larry Saunders Service Award; first presentation 1/16/2018; Grant to Caring For Kids.
• 2018   Rotary Club of Lakewood - Larry Saunders Service Award; second presentation  1/15/2019; Grant to Springbrook Connections.
• 2019   J. Alan Billingsley, Clover Park Rotary; Larry Saunders Service Award; third presentation 1/21/2020; Grant to (rehab project) South Puget Sound Wildlife Area.
• 2020   The Selden Family, Lakewood Rotary; Larry Saunders Service Award; fourth presentation 1/19/2021, Grant to West Pierce CARES.
• 2021   Doubled Larry Saunders Service Award; fifth presentation 1/18/2022, first award: First Mayor LTG Wm H. Harrison, Grant to Communities in Schools; and second award, and Grant to Partners for Parks.
• 2022    McFadden Brothers; Larry Saunders Service Award; sixth presentation 1/17/2023, Grant to Oakbrook Swim & Tennis Club.
• 2023    Eleanor “Ellie” Wilson, Larry Saunders Service Award; seventh presentation 1/16/2024; grant to Communities In Schools of Lakewood.    
• 2024    Larry Wilson, Jr., grant to Communities in Schools, and The Kiwanis Club of Clover Park, grant to Partners for Parks (H-Barn Project), eighth presentations on 1/25/2025
• 2025   Ben Sclair, grant to Rose Murphy Endowed fund; and Mary Moss, grant to Lakewood Multicultural Coalition

Applications for the Larry Saunders Community Service Award are now open, closing Friday, September 19, 2025. Past recipients:

2017  Diane Formoso

2018  Rotary Club of Lakewood

2019  J. Alan Billingsley

2020  The Selden Family

2021  LTG William H Harrison, and Partners for Parks

2022  McFadden Brothers

2023  Ellie Wilson

2024  Larry Woods, Jr., and Kiwanis Club of Clover Park

Recipients direct $1000 from the LCFF to the 501c3 of their choice.

Click below for application form download

Please click here   Deadline: September 19, 2025