Wally Webster’s lifelong advocacy for building healthier communities has focused on many things. Among them: civil and voting rights, important youth and family welfare policies, and the power of individuals to make a difference through volunteering. The Lynnwood resident is the recipient of our highest honor, the Janet G. Newell Award for Community Service. Companis Board President Emerita Dr. Sarah Speck, MD, presented Mr. Webster the award at a June 27th ceremony in Lynnwood. Wally Webster will be our featured speaker at our annual Showcase event on October 10th in Seattle.
“Because of Wally Webster’s personal advocacy and encouragement for the Companis mission that matches skilled volunteers with nonprofits needing their skills, doors opened for us in Snohomish County, fueling our growth in placing skilled volunteers in service to our neighbors ,” said Companis Executive Director Gary Davis. Webster was introduced to Companis in 2020, during the pandemic, and became an advocate for our work and plans for expanding in Snohomish County where he lives.
In early 2021, Companis received a major grant from the Community Foundation of Snohomish County to assist in our expansion and bring comprehensive volunteer services through our matchmaking and individualized support, an introduction made by Webster to the Foundation team.
“Mr. Webster’s enthusiasm for the important role of dedicated volunteers in the nonprofit community offered Companis an ability to connect with nonprofit leaders and funders throughout the region. It also greatly assisted our ability to later open an Everett office in 2022, in addition to our original Seattle office location. We are deeply grateful for his advocacy,” Davis added.
Since 2021, Companis Worker volunteers have served in one-year or project-length placements with nearly three dozen nonprofits in the county. One of those is The ACCESS Project in Lynnwood, an agency envisioned and founded by Webster to serve as a mental health resource and referral program for the region’s youth.
“I am honored by the Newell Award, and feel very grateful to have Companis as a working partner of The ACCESS Project and other nonprofits in the Snohomish County communities,” Webster said. “Like Companis, The ACCESS Project is a connector nonprofit organization,” he added. “Our goal is to identify critical needs for our youth and the organizations that are best equipped to successfully serve those needs. I appreciate and value Companis because their mission perfectly aligns with my personal and professional values,” he added.
About the Newell Award
Janet G. Newell was a tireless advocate for our neighbors living without homes, and she led two nonprofit organizations in Seattle that provided an array of services to tens of thousands of individuals. Newell was the award’s first recipient in 2006. She passed away on June 8, 2024 at the age of 86.
The Janet G. Newell Award for Community Service is given annually to the person or persons who have performed outstanding personal acts requiring exceptional commitment, talent and time that have positively impacted the lives of our neighbors and/or nonprofit agencies.