The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation

Today's Be the Spark inspiration is Tricia Sinek. Nominated for her selfless community service, Tricia harnesses her giving spirit, knowledge and expertise to make amazing things happen. Because of her work, more than 55,000 community members have benefited from programs and services that she helped make possible--ranging from cancer assistance programs to free tobacco cessation groups. Learn more about why Pierce County is very lucky to have someone like Tricia in our community!

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Chuck is from the Pacific Northwest, and has spent the most time here. He was a Navy brat, and at his core, he is a nomad, so he is not sure if he would call any one particular place my home.

He has been drawing since he was 3, and once he got to high school, it became apparent that he was supposed to draw and create worlds. He went to school for art and literature, and has worked for Yahoo, Groundspeak, and Arenanet, while doing comics, illustration, and paintings on the side.

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High school student Isaiah Picket has been an active community member for several years in Pierce County. His "spark" is serving as a leader to his peers and helping run a local volunteer program. Isaiah is a great demonstration of the difference you can make in the community, regardless of your age. 

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"Jim and Donna Cox are dedicated, hard-working, and caring volunteers who have truly exemplified Habitat for Humanity’s mission and work to eliminate poverty housing in Tacoma and Pierce County," shares Emily Papke-Larson, Volunteer Coordinator with the Tacoma/Pierce County Affiliate.  Learn more about Jim and Donna, and their view that  “The more you give, the more you get out of life" in Emily's nomination below. 

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Matt Johnson hails from Washington State but has lived all around the world. His dream of an art  career began in Junior High, while living in Germany. Over the years, Matt continued to pursue his dream and today, he both works in the arts and continues to follow what he calls the best advice he's been given: Keep Painting.  

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What would happen if neighbors came together, shared a healthy meal, and spent time in conversation envisioning the positive future of their neighborhood? That's what Derrick Rhayn, today's Be the Spark spotlight, is interested in finding out.

Wanting to spur community transformation, Derrick founded National Potluck Week, May 20-26, 2012. Neighborhoods across the nation will take part in this year's inaugural celebration. The hope is to break down barriers and begin a conversation focused around what we have in common and can build by working together.

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One year ago today, 15,000 people filled the Tacoma Dome for our Be the Spark event and rallied around Archbishop Desmond Tutu's unifying message: We are all connected and can each be the spark for positive change. Throughout the diverse audience, more than 6,000 of whom were young people, there was a connecting theme that each person can make a difference.

Sharing the stage that night with Archbishop Tutu was Noah Kaplan. Noah is a spoken word artist and graduate of University of Puget Sound. His powerful Be the Spark performance wowed not only the audience, but internationally renowned youth advocate Craig Kielburger, one of the inspiring speakers that evening. 

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Jessica Stokesberry, a second-year volunteer with our Vibrant Community Environmental Grants Committee, is the latest Be the Spark nominee. Jessica was nominated for her unwavering commitment to community engagement, passion for environmental conservation, and her unique ability to inspire those around her.

Jessica shares her thoughts on what it means to Be the Spark, why she volunteers, her hopes for the community, and more!

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Troy Christensen is involved in a number of social justice issues throughout the community. Below, Troy shares with us how a recent move propelled him and his family to seek new ways to build community. The experience helped him not only appreciate the diversity of his new neighbors, but how those personal relationships and bonds are the true roots of building a resilient and strong community.

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Today's Be the Spark inspiration features not one but three deserving individuals. Travis, Chris & Kenji were brought together through Fab-5's LIFE Program, an initiative started through the Northwest Leadership Foundation to provide creative outlets for underserved youth. All are dedicated to community and giving back, and have been part of some very cool graffiti and mural projects across the County.  (Check out our gallery of their art and take a self-guided mural tour that features some of their work).

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