Way to Go: Maddy Metzger-Utt wins 2019 Bethany’s Raili Hanson award

Maddy Metzger-Utt, recently retired as CEO and president of the Community Foundation of Snohomish County, was recognized with Bethany’s 2019 Raili Hanson Inspirational Award for Community Service and Leadership.

She was recognized during Breakfast with Bethany, an annual fundraising event sponsored by Bethany of the Northwest, on Thursday at Rosehill Community Center in Mukilteo. Donations from the breakfast benefit the Debra James Memorial Scholarship Fund. A nonprofit, Bethany offers nursing care, rehabilitation, assisted living and senior apartments in the Everett area.

Metzger-Utt retired in June from her leadership role with the Community Foundation of Snohomish County, formerly the Greater Everett Community Foundation. Her parents, Harry and Jeanne Metzger, were among eight local families that raised a $2 million operational endowment to start the foundation, which evolved from the Everett Parks Foundation.

When her plans to retire were announced a year ago, Metzger-Utt said she was proud of the foundation’s role in supporting the Casino Road Initiative, formed to promote economic development in south Everett, and the group’s role in affordable housing. The foundation made a $600,000 investment in the HopeWorks project in Everett that helps provide the skills and training for family-wage jobs.

The Community Foundation of Snohomish County manages investments, and earnings from its portfolio are used to provide grants to homeless shelters, local arts organizations, health and human services groups, and other nonprofits. It also provides coaching to local nonprofits.

In 2013, Jeanne Metzger, Metzger-Utt’s mother, was honored with Bethany of the Northwest’s Raili Hanson Inspirational Award. A former Herald editor, Metzger’s work after retiring centered on hospice care.

The award is named for Raili Hanson, a longtime volunteer and board member with Bethany, who died in 2010. For many years a registered nurse in the mother-baby unit at Everett General Hospital, she was the wife of former Herald Publisher Larry Hanson.

Mill Creek homeowners awarded

Councilmember John Steckler and the city’s Art & Beautification Board recognized 12 Great Garden Award recipients at a recent City Council meeting. Every year, members of the City’s Art and Beautification Board tour Mill Creek and nominate residents who have put exceptional time and effort into the beautification of their property. The board then meets to review all nominees and selects 12 (one in each predetermined zone and then an additional four “at large” winners) to receive Great Garden Awards.

The Art and Beautification Board met July 10 to select this year’s award winners and delivered award notifications and temporary yard signs to the 12 winners in August. The temporary yard signs were replaced by a smaller, permanent keepsake that were presented to award recipients in attendance at the City Council presentation.

Marine law enforcement awards

Sgt. Greg Sanders, Marine Services supervisor at Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, was recognized by the Washington State Parks Boating Program for outstanding accomplishments and contributions of marine law enforcement organizations and individuals at its annual conference in Vancouver.

For the past 20 years the Boating Program has used part of the conference to recognize marine law enforcement programs and individuals for their work as recreational boating safety and enforcement professionals.

Awards are presented in three categories: Marine Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, Recreational Boating Safety Education Merit Award and Recreational Boating Safety Life Saving Award.

Snohomish County once had one of the highest drowning fatality rates in Washington. Under Sgt. Sanders’ leadership and communications direction, which included numerous campaigns on social media and at schools and events, drowning-related deaths declined.

Sanders also developed a “slow-water” enforcement team, which patrols small lakes and certain rivers in kayaks.