Sit back, relax and let me explain about the wonderful “Sustainer of the Year Award”. I am extremely humbled and it gives me great pleasure to present this year’s winner.
Known for having 3 children and one darling granddaughter and a cute husband too, this Sustainer is one that accepts and welcomes new challenges. Whether it is building a new home after the kids have flown the coop, or co-chairing the YWCA’s community gifts committee “Bringing it home”…this is one Junior Leaguer that has always continued to bring Junior League home to her family and friends… Yes, she was once a President too….Now just wait, it was too difficult for the committee to decide on one candidate so we also choose this vivacious woman. This darling woman is the loving mother of 4 children and very busy husband. Yes, this lovely lady has recently “retired” from a very lucrative real estate practice to now being the “Vice President” of The East Yakima Learning Initiative and she too was a former Junior League President. I am proud to present this year’s joint winners are Karen Hefner and Sonja Dodge.
Sonja was Junior Aid President in 1976…this was just the beginning for this very outgoing and challenge driven young woman. Along with being the President of our league, Sonja raised 4 children with her husband Jim. They now travel about with all the children and grandchildren living out of the Yakima area. Sonja has been involved with Yakima School District in various organizations and also served on its Board of Directors, President of South West Rotary(Huge Job), Backstage, The board of Yakima Symphony Orchestra, Yakima Health District, Yakima Medical Auxiliary, Yakima Association of Realtors ,and of course Yakima Junior league Sustainers. It has been such a pleasure to have such a wonderful person such as Sonja always smiling and willing to help whenever is needed to make things just that much better for what ever the project or the function calls for. Sonja is also known for her wonderful Scandinavian cooking and her cup of coffee when a friend needs a listening ear. Her talents also include beautiful photo books of journeys and trips that she and Jim have taken and of course the loveliest gardens on the block. Her roses are a sight not to miss!!
Karen Hefner was President of Junior League in 1991. Karen along with her husband Walt have raised 3 children in the Yakima Valley. Together with Walt they are now building their dream house in Terrace Heights. Karen spends every other Friday in the Tri-Cities volunteering in her granddaughter Aspen’s classroom. As if building a new home is not enough Karen finds time to volunteer for the YWCA where she has been a previous board member and “Outstanding Member for 2005”. Karen has also served on various school organizations, Capital theater Backstage, KYVE Fundraising committee, Woman’s Century Club Jr’s Home Tour Chair and board, Memorial Follies, and currently serves the Sustainers as Treasurer for the last year and next year too. Karen is the quiet and confident type who enjoys her friends and family gatherings. Not many know what a fantastic cook she is and can she ever make a darling beaded necklace and sew or knit a new scarf at the drop of a hat. Being that her house is always a welcome spot and a place where many have sat and had an awesome plate of deserts and a great cup of tea.
It is with extreme pleasure and honor I present to you this Years Sustainer’s of the Year:
Karen Hefner and Sonja Dodge.
