Volunteers at the hostel

 ### Celebrating the Heart of Birch Bay Hostel: Our Incredible Volunteers


I couldn’t express enough how grateful I was for the wonderful volunteers who poured their time and energy into the Birch Bay hostel. While I couldn’t name everyone who contributed, I wanted to highlight some key individuals and groups that made a significant impact.


First and foremost, our standout volunteer, Lindadiane Taylor, deserved special recognition. Over her four years with us, she dedicated the equivalent of a full-time job in volunteer hours, tirelessly working to improve our space and support our mission.


The Lions Club members were always ready to lend a hand whenever we needed assistance. Their support was invaluable, and we truly appreciated their commitment to our cause.


Thank You!! Whatcom Volunteer Center and their volunteers.  Habitat for Humanity, ReStore, WorldMark, Water’s Edge Church, Lynden Lions, Coupeville Lions and our neighbors for generous donations of materials and support.

And thank you to the Students from Blaine & Ferndale High Schools, Whatcom College, Western Washington University & Evergreen University for choosing the Birch Bay Hostel to complete their projects and Internships.

To our Artists who have brightened our space Thank YOU!  Jim Agnello, Keri Wallace, Erika Lynne Bartlett, Girl Scout Troup 42117, Dick Berg, Bryna Murray, Alexandria Sutherland, Reggie Kaster and Linda Diane Taylor.

The Playlists (Leon & Brent Rogers, Billy Shears, Donnie Gossett & Ken Lord) for entertaining our guest & volunteers.  The Playlists are available for parties, weddings and corporate functions. 


A huge shoutout went to the Whatcom County Fire Department, who came to our rescue by patching up holes in the interior and prepping the walls for paint. They went above and beyond by painting our expansive hallways and common areas, transforming the hostel into a welcoming space.


We were also fortunate to have students from Western Washington University volunteer their time to clean the hostel. You might not know this, but the hostel had accumulated quite a scent over time—like a lion's den! It required layers upon layers of cleaning, and thanks to the students, we now had a fresh and inviting environment. All the cleaning supplies were generously donated, which made their efforts even more impactful.


The exterior of the hostel received a vibrant makeover, thanks to airbrush artist Steve Allman. It took around 30 gallons of paint for the base and an additional 10 gallons for the trim, breathing new life into our building.


I also wanted to acknowledge a kind woman who showed up one day with a vision for our windows. Although I couldn’t recall her name, I promised to find it! She sourced all the fabric and crafted beautiful curtains for every window in the building, adding a personal touch that enhanced our atmosphere.


Additionally, local plumbers and electricians, along with visiting employees from BP, helped us with much-needed repairs to our utilities, ensuring everything ran smoothly.

And then there are the Artists. Linda Diane Taylor recruited local arts to create murals and display their art. She also used her skills create paintings for resale with proceeds going to the Lion’s. Check out the Art in the Hostel page. 


Finally, our neighbors were a tremendous source of support. They often arrived unannounced, eager to help in any way they could. Their kindness and willingness to lend a hand reinforced the sense of community we cherished at the hostel.


To all our volunteers, thank you for your dedication, hard work, and unwavering support. You truly made a difference at the Birch Bay hostel, and we were forever grateful!











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