The Lopez Community Center Association is proud to announce that Lynn and Marlys Waller are the recipients of the 2011 Dolly and Andy Holland Lopez Spirit Award. The Spirit Award will be presented to Lynn and Marlys Dec. 10 at a potluck at the Lopez Community Center. Festivities start at 5 p.m.

Established in 2000, the Spirit Award is given in honor of Dolly and Andy Holland, long time Lopez residents who gave unselfishly of their time, talents and money to better the Lopez community. They are both deceased.  It is in the spirit of these two people that the award was established.  It recognizes an individual, or couple or partners every year,  who have “consistently improved the lives of all Lopezians. Unselfishly, reliably, lovingly, with tolerance and integrity, these people give to our community in extraordinary ways.” Lynn and Marlys live these values.

A friend of theirs commented that they volunteer, they volunteer, and they volunteer some more. Whenever things need to be accomplished, you can be certain Lynn and Marlys will be there ready to help.

Lopez community members are nominated each year for the award. Here is one excerpt from the Waller’s nomination, “Lynn has served as the LCCA Chair for many years. He was at the helm when the idea of the building the Center first gained real traction. It was during this time that the funds were raised and the plans were drawn. His involvement, leadership skills, and enthusiasm were the driving forces behind these efforts. During the 4th of July parade in the early 1990’s Lynn led the LCCA entry, literally dancing the entire route, radiating his broad grin with his arms outstretched… The Center may not have been built without his leadership skills and infectious determination.”

In addition, Lynn has participated in the Annual Lopez swan count and has served on the Thrift Shop and Friends of the San Juans Boards. He has worked on the Morgantown and Innisfree low-income housing work parties and has been a member of the Lions Club for 10 years. Lynn has been on the Lopez School District Accreditation Committee and numerous other school committees. He participated in the eagle film production for the San Juan Preservation Trust.

Marlys has been Lynn’s long time partner and confidant. For four years, she has represented the Lopez Community as a member of the San Juan United Way Board. She worked at the Thrift Shop for years and has made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the Tribal Canoe Celebration. You can always count on Marlys to contribute cookies and casseroles to any work party that is happening in the community. At the Lopez School, she served as a committee member of the playfields and recreation sites. Marlys was the Lopez Garden Club President and served on many projects, including the annual cemetery clean up. She has organized community folk and line dances and singing programs at the Grange, Woodman Hall, and the LCCA.

She supported the building of the Skate Park and the Community Center. She was the Treasurer of the Lopez Island Community Tennis Association and helped orchestrate building the tennis courts.

Please come and join us in celebration of these two amazing members of our community.