BAINBRIDGE ISLAND — Helen Stoll, member and leader of Bethany Lutheran Church of Bainbridge Island, has been selected to receive the Helen Norris Award for outstanding service from Lutheran Community Services Northwest (LCSN).
She will receive the award at the agency’s annual banquet Nov. 8 at the Kitsap Conference Center at Bremerton Harborside.
Stoll, a retired nurse and resident of Kingston, has been Bethany’s representative to the LCSN board of directors since 2003. The group provides social services to much of Western Washington.
In that time, she helped to increase awareness of the needs in Kitsap County to LCSN, convened regular LCSN meetings in congregations across the Kitsap Peninsula and helped to organize its banquets and events in Bremerton.
Stoll’s selection for the Helen Norris Award also is based on her other volunteer service, which included two years as a volunteer followed by a position as staff nurse for Hospice of Kitsap County, from 2003 to 2010.
“It’s the most satisfying position I had professionally,” Stoll said.
Stoll also is on the board of trustees for Martha and Mary Health Services.
At Bethany, she served as president of the congregation, in addition to other leadership positions. She current serves as secretary.
“Helen is the quintessential Lutheran church woman working tirelessly behind the scenes making things work and getting things done,” said Bethany President Scott Ellerby. “And we of Bethany Lutheran Church are pleased to see her recognized for her work on behalf of LCS.”
Stoll said she is grateful for the award, but adds there is work remaining for her at LCSNW
“For the Kitsap Peninsula, I would like to see the visibility of the programs such as RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) increase throughout the Peninsula with congregations — not just Lutheran congregations but others, too,” she said.
And, as Baby Boomers get older, she would like to see the agency’s programs that support aging at home expanded.
“That’s where we’re going,” she said, “but the challenge can be ways to find to support it.”
The Helen Norris Award is named for volunteer Helen Norris of Bremerton, who was active in Girl Scouts, schools, the arts and literacy before she died in 2005.
