This week we talked to Kim Voetberg who has been a Snohomish County volunteer for the past ten years. Kim and Dawn (web editor) actually met when they both volunteered at the Lighthouse Festival helping with marketing. Kim lives in Mukilteo with her husband Jim and their cat Zoe. When Kim isn’t serving her princess, she serves on the board of the Mukilteo Kiwanis and volunteers with Assistance League® of Everett. Both organizations help the Mukilteo community with educating, clothing, and feeding our children.
DM: How long have you lived in Mukilteo?
KV: After living in Alaska for 30 years, I returned to Snohomish County and started working at the Chamber office in 2014. I actually moved to Mukilteo from Mill Creek in 2015.
DM: You are very active in the Mukilteo Community. Can you tell us about the boards you serve on as well as your volunteer positions? Why did you choose these organizations?
KV: Serving others has been a part of my life for as long as I remember. My parents were great examples. So…. I do keep busy even though I’m retired. I am involved with two local service organizations because of their targeted focus on children and youth in our area.
I am currently on the board of Mukilteo Kiwanis and actively work with fundraisers and marketing to support children’s programs like Packs for Kids, Boys and Girls Club, and others. Kiwanis also provides scholarships every year for graduating seniors. This year we’ll be offering $22k! Kiwanis also engages in community outreach by volunteering to clean the Speedway, do shifts at the Food Bank, and work on projects at Camp Killoqua.
I also am on the marketing team for Assistance League® of Everett and am active in Kitty Young Auxiliary. Our flagship project is Operation School Bell® which clothes underserved kiddos with three sets of clothing, shoes, coat/hat/scarf/gloves, and a personal hygiene kit each year.
I recently shifted off Session (ruling board at my church) when my three-year term ended. It was a challenging time during COVID, but I was privileged to be serving. COVID also brought my teaching a women’s study group to a grinding halt but I switched over and started providing dinners on Meal Train for families going through a health crisis.
DM: Is there an achievement or contribution you are most proud of, and why?
KV: I’m not sure about the “proud of” part, but I’m grateful to be in a position to help others, in whatever way I can. I think we can all say that at some point in our lives, we’ve been in a situation where we needed support, whether it was financial or emotional or whatever. It was gratifying that someone reached out and offered the help. I want to be that for someone else. It’s not a new concept, but Paying It Forward is a way for us to be kind and really… we all need to exercise kindness.
DM: What is your favorite place in Mukilteo to visit and why?
KV: I love parking at Lighthouse Park, walking the beach, and then continuing on over to the ferry terminal and beyond to the beach toward Everett. I’ve always lived near the water, so it’s my happy place.
DM: Do you have a favorite book, website, or podcast, and why?
KV: Kristin Hannah is one of my favorite writers and as it happens most of her books start, occur, or end in the PNW. I’m currently reading Summer Island which was written quite a while ago, but I just randomly pick her books from a list, and… this is the book for the month!
DM: If you could have dinner with someone (alive or dead, real or fictional), who would it be and why?
KV: Hands down, my Dad. Truly one of life’s authentic people. He’s been gone for 17 years. I miss him every day.
DM: What do you think surprises people about you?
KV: Whoa, I’m not sure. I think I’m pretty open, fairly friendly (I haven’t bitten anyone lately), and generally, enjoy others. I think I sail through life with a positive attitude so… I don’t know.
DM: Do you have any children? If so, what are their names?
KV: I have a blended family of five children, and they in turn have given me seven grands, so I am pretty fortunate.
DM: What kind of pets do you have, if any? What are their names?
KV: I have a very finicky, totally opinionated princess in my house named Zoe. She doesn’t admit to being a… C.A.T.
DM: Is there anything else you would like to share with me?
KV: Just that it’s nice for Mukilteo to have a forum for getting to know one another. Thanks for reaching out.
DM: Is there any question I should have asked you but did not?
KV: Nope! Haha.
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