The Issaquah History Museums is a shining example of all that is possible of a grassroots community group.

In the 1980s, just a handful of residents were struggling with the important task of ensuring Issaquah’s history was not lost in the city’s development.

A few decades later and the Issaquah History Museums (IHM) is a thriving organization with an active board, several committees and a strong support base of members and city funding. It is renown for its efficiency and effectiveness, and is now one of the city’s top draws.

At the heart of this great story is the dozens of volunteers who commit themselves to undertaking the day-to-day running of the two museum facilities, staging special events, fundraising, and promoting the group. The IHM crew is one of the best-known volunteer teams on the Eastside. And with good reason.

Ever conscious of the value of their volunteers and the important role they play, each year the IHM throws a volunteer appreciation event at the Depot Museum on Rainier Boulevard.

A highlight of the event is the announcement of the IHM Volunteer of the Year Award, which honors not only the volunteer who has put in a lot of hours, but also that generous resident that goes above and beyond what was asked of them.

This year, that award was given to long-time museums volunteer Bill Bergsma.

At the volunteer appreciation night, May 13, Bergsma was applauded for his involvement in a wide range of museums events, from pushing the pump car at the Issaquah Heritage Day held each July, to getting his hands dirty at work parties.

According to IHM Volunteer Coordinator Karen Klein, Bergsma was also a hit amongst his fellow volunteers – his excellent cookies were always appreciated whenever it was time for refreshments.

“Whenever we have an event, Bill is always there,” Klein said. “He embodies what is important about volunteering, in that he is there helping out before we even have to ask him.”

Bergsma, who this year put in more than 70 volunteer hours with the IHM, is also a member of the group’s board.

Sharing the well-deserved spotlight with him were Star Volunteer Award recipients, Joan Newman, Denny Croston and Geoff Nunn.

Stephen Grate, who leads regular interpretive hikes to the nearby Issaquah, Superior and Grand Ridge mines was awarded a special pin for volunteering more than 100 hours in 2009, a remarkable achievement.

Marilyn Batura, David Boushee, Donna M. Oberembt and Bill Bergsma were awarded badges for more than 35 hours of volunteering in the year 2009.

Michael Johnson was recognized for his outstanding fundraising efforts, and Jean Cerar received a special award for her punctuality and accuracy with her time sheets.

The full list of honorees:

Volunteer Awards

Dick Beham, Tom Anderson, Donna Arndt, Marilyn Batura, Tim Bodin, Loretta Borowski, Marilyn Boyden, Bill Bergsma, David Boushee, James Easley, Allen Flintoft, Stan Espeseth, Stacy Goodman, Stephen Grate, Michael Johnson, Monita Horn, Rowan Hinds, Barbara Hinds, Barbara Justice, Tom Mechler, Anne McGill, Joel Klein, Joan Newman, Donna M. Oberembt.