Submitted by: Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center

The Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center (WDRC) invites the community to join in honoring eight individuals and organizations who have helped build peace in Whatcom County at the 15th Annual Peace Builders Awards, presented by Peoples Bank. Awards will be presented at the gala on November 17 at 5:30 p.m., in Bellingham Technical College’s Settlemyer Hall.

The recipients of the 2017 Peace Builder Awards are:

Downtown Bellingham Partnership, Collaboration: For their commitment to foster relationships and nurture unity among businesses and the community at large.

Portage Bay Partnership, Creative Conflict Resolution: For creative conflict resolution efforts between the Lummi Nation and Whatcom County Dairy Farmers, resulting in a cooperative approach to improve water quality.

Bridge Builders, Cultural Connections: For their efforts to foster understanding and spaces of communion and connection between all faiths in Whatcom County.

Lindsey Karas, Sterling Meadows Apartments, Empowerment: For her steadfast commitment to the wellbeing of youth in the Sterling Meadows community.

Karen Aislinn, Healthcare: For building peace through exceptional emotional and social support for her patients and their families.

Whatcom Community Foundation, Organization: For its Project Neighborly initiative, bringing the community together to promote connection, neighborliness and understanding.

Opportunity Council’s Homeless Outreach Team, Program: For building peace by creating connections and meeting basic needs of some of our community’s most vulnerable.

Stephanie Lewis, Whatcom County Community Links, Public Servant: For helping youth and families reduce conflict, connect, collaborate and link with community resources.

In addition to the awards ceremony, event guests will enjoy hors d’ouevres, a chef-inspired dinner, silent auction, dessert dash, live music and youth poetry from our Peaceful Poetry Youth Contest. Tickets start at $50 and may be purchased online at whatcomdrc.org or by calling 360-676-0122.

Thanks to the 15th Annual Peace Builder Awards sponsors: Peoples Bank, Brett McCandlis Brown PLLC, Village Books and Paper Dreams, Highline Construction, Boundary Bay Brewery and City of Bellingham.