The Washington Apple Education Foundation, while celebrating and giving thanks this month for the hundreds of volunteers that impact students through the organization, announced the foundation’s 2021 Volunteers of the Year in a news release Nov. 9.

Dany Cavadini, Electric City, is the 2021 Volunteer of the Year. She has been volunteering with WAEF for the past six years, since learning about the organization through her employer, Northwest Farm Credit Services, a longtime partner of the foundation. “The mission of WAEF makes it so easy to jump in wholeheartedly to support these amazing students,” Cavadini said in the release.

The Washington State Tree Fruit Association, based in Yakima, is the 2021 Organization Volunteer of the Year. WSTFA staff members volunteer at WAEF events, send care packages, serve on committees and assist in many other ways. “It may seem a matter of course that industry associations would support WAEF as the official charity of the tree fruit industry,” said WSTFA President Jon DeVaney, “but anyone who has had a chance to meet the talented and motivated students who are supported by the scholarships quickly becomes motivated to do more.”

Amanda Adams, human resources director for Legacy Fruit of Yakima, is the 2021 Alumni Volunteer of the Year. With support from Legacy Fruit, Adams has participated in resume reviews, mock interviews, scholarship selections and summer workshops. “As an alumni myself, I would not be where I am today in my career and family if it wasn’t for my parents and WAEF providing me the opportunity to complete my college education,” Adams said in the release. “I am beyond excited to give back in any way I can to try and create that opportunity for others.”

According to the release, WAEF students benefitted from the expertise, time and dedication of more than 200 volunteers this year. In years past, the foundation has held an in-person volunteer recognition event. This year, however, WAEF volunteers will be sent a gift from the foundation to express appreciation for their impactful roles in the organization.

For more information about the foundation, visit: waef.org.

—by Jonelle Mejica