EVERETT — Ada Haug had to stand on the tiptoes of her bright red sandals to reach the microphone.
At Wednesday’s City Council meeting, Mayor Ray Stephanson announced that Friday would be Ada Haug Day in Everett in recognition to her life of service to others.
In a red shirt, white pants and blue blazer, the 87-year-old woman pulled the microphone down as far as it would go. The peach-colored rose corsage pinned to her lapel rested just above the edge of the lectern.
"I just can’t believe it," Haug said. "To have a day named after you!"
She spoke about how much she has enjoyed her 40-plus years of volunteerism at Bethany Home, the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and elsewhere in the community.
"You know, it’s much better than sitting at home," she said.
At least as far as Everett is concerned, she’s joined the ranks of explorers, past presidents and civil rights leaders. But, she said later, she’s never actually met anyone who had his or her own day.
"This is the icing on the cake," Haug said as the audience and council gave her a standing ovation.
After she received a copy of the mayor’s proclamation, complete with a gold seal, Haug and her daughter, Marilyn, sat on a wooden bench in the foyer.
"There’s so many blessings I’ve received from volunteering that I couldn’t begin to tell you," Haug said.
She was hired to start an activities program at Bethany Home in 1965. That started decades of spirited fun and caring for the elderly residents there at a time when such places didn’t normally have many activities.
The seniors were soon singing, crocheting, painting ceramics, playing instruments and having lively discussions.
Haug said Bethany Home residents often checked in thinking they were going there to die. Their families often believed the same. But she tried to change that thinking.
"One lady told me once, ‘We’re so busy, we don’t have time to die,’ " Haug said.
She has macular degeneration and cataracts and can’t see well anymore. She also has scoliosis, which makes it hard for her to hold her head up. But she can still sing, she can still listen and she can still talk.
"She’s a good talker, that’s for sure," her daughter said, laughing.
There will be a celebration Friday in the Monte Cristo ballroom to celebrate her 40 years of service, and also the work of other volunteers at Bethany Home,
There also will be a party afterward for family and friends at her church. She’s expecting about 70 people for the event, many of whom are members of her large Norwegian family.
Though Haug won’t be able to see who is there, she plans to sit by the door and greet each person as they walk in. "I’m not old," she said, grinning.
"She likes to say that," her daughter said. "She’s not old."
Reporter Jennifer Warnick: 425-339-3429 or jwarnick@heraldnet.com.
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