Darrell Drew says he found a purpose by getting involved in the community.
The longtime Magnolia resident, 68, has been instrumental in many of the community’s activities for the past 38 years when he organized the first Magnolia Summer Fest Kids Parade in the 1970s. It is a project that he still oversees with great pride to this day.
He has also spent many years volunteering at the Magnolia Community Center, as a member of the Magnolia Community Council, the city-wide board of directors and as a docent for Discovery Park.
And if that wasn’t enough, he is also responsible for rigging the pully system that is used to hang banners across West McGraw Street in the Magnolia Village. Between 12 and 13 times a year, he hangs the banners across the street to announce Magnolia’s special events.
In recognition for all that Drew has done and continues to do for the community, the Magnolia Community Center celebrated his tireless service with a party last week. Bill Keller, the executive director of the Associated Recreation Council, awarded Drew a trophy in honor of his dedication.
“We are celebrating Darrell’s unselfish and tireless work,” Keller said. “He always puts the community first and works constantly to help families, teens and kids in the Magnolia area.”
While the crowd attending the celebration acknowledged how much Drew has done for Magnolia, he was quick to say he has gotten the better end of the deal.
“This work really saved my life,” said Drew. “It gave me a focus, a sense of belonging and a purpose at a time when I didn’t have any purpose.”
Twenty five years ago, he suffered through a bout with alcoholism so severe that doctors didn’t think he would live through the year. He found the courage to stop and repair his life, in part, through his work as a volunteer in the community.
“At the time, I didn’t really have a direction,” Drew said of his troubled past. “My volunteer work has brought me joy and a balance to my life I didn’t have before.”
Through his years, Drew has been instrumental in many Magnolia events, including helping the current owners of the Leroux fine apparel shop, Mike and Alexandra Smith, meet and, eventually, fall in love. Drew, who used to work at the clothing store with Mike Smith when it was controlled by the previous owner, said he set the two up on a blind date. And, well, the rest is history.
Drew and his fellow Magnolia Community Council members said that they are always looking for volunteers to join the organization and really make a difference in the Magnolia area, the city of Seattle and in their own lives. The group has helped in various ways, ranging from supporting the Magnolia Farmers Market, supporting the Summer Fest Helping Harvest program, which supplies vouchers to low-income families so they can buy fresh produce at the farmers market; helping to build new Magnolia playgrounds and even supporting the construction of crosswalks in West Seattle’s Alki neighborhood. Drew said he enjoys working with kids and teens and relishes seeing their progress to becoming responsible adults.
As if to emphasize the point, one young man in his 20s approached Drew and shook his hand, thanking him for all he’s done for him. Drew shared a few words of encouragement before the young man walked away.
“I’ve known that man since he first came to the community center when he was just a youngster,” Drew says, watching the young man walk away. “He was a wild kid and a pain in the behind in those days. But I could see he was reaching for something better than just hanging out with the tough kids and getting into trouble. Now, he mentors other kids and students here at the center. When I see things like that, it really makes this all very rewarding.”
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