Good morning neighbors,

December is here and soon we will be getting used to writing 2022. Wintertime can bring a lot of joy as we celebrate, but it can also bring stress, so remember to reach out to family and friends to make sure they are doing OK.

It can be a trying time as families try to navigate the holiday and of course if you add a pandemic to the mix, it can get to be too much. If you have a need but have never asked for help it can be hard to know where to start. But there are many resources across our non-profits and support organizations. Calling 211 is a great place to start, reach out to our Human Services Department, or if you have youth in school, ask there. They may not have a solution right away, but if you don’t ask, no one can try to help.

Point in Time Count

When we talk about community members that need help, our homeless population probably comes to mind. Most people believe those who are homeless are living on the streets, found a spot to put up shelter or are in a car. However, there are far more people in Pierce County that are living in temporary shelters, sharing spaces with family members or non-profits, or have found a place off the beaten path that we don’t see.

Every year the county does its very best to count those experiencing homelessness. We are looking for volunteers to help us find those living on the streets so that we can actively work with our service providers to account for those who need shelter and services. In our recent budget we allocated funds to expand services and knowing numbers, locations and needs will help in our goal to end street homelessness.

Pierce County Human Services is recruiting volunteers to conduct interviews with individuals and families during the Point-In-Time Count from late Thursday, Jan. 27 through Friday, Jan. 28, 2022. Volunteers must register online and be over 18 years old.  I have signed up and am looking forward to the training and experience.

Here is a short video about this process, though it was made in 2018. Hoping to see some of you and thank you to all who might join this work.

No Sun Fun Run

Do you enjoy running or walking in our parks?

Do you need a push-like competition to make you get out there and do that?

Are planning a New Year’s Resolution to walk or run more in 2022?

If you answered YES to any of these questions, then we have an event for you. The No Sun Fun Run will be held in person Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022 at the Nathan Chapman Memorial Trail. I love this trail and walk it rain or shine with my dog because it is wide enough to pass other users without getting off the trail, and it is paved.

Rain, hail, sleet or snow, the in-person No Sun Fun Run will take place at the park at 10 a.m. and the virtual run will take place over the weekend of Jan. 15-17, 2022. Register for this event by Jan. 1, 2022. You can check out the path here. The virtual run can be done anywhere you are, or even on a treadmill, aiming to hit the 5K goal. Getting active in any way that works for you is great for mental and physical health.

Community Connections

• Holiday Parade of Lights: Dec. 11 from 4 – 8 p.m. in Fort Steilacoom Park. This free, drive through event is open to all that might want to get into the spirit and visitors will stay warm and drive as you navigate a maze of holiday floats created by local businesses, clubs, and organizations.
• Fantasy Lights: This started late November, and will close on Jan. 2, 2022, if you are looking for a dynamic drive through light show please come take look. The event does require a ticket and you need to pre-purchase tickets before you show up. Learn more here.

There are so many small and community specific activities going on and it is so exciting that these are happening in person this year. Remember to continue to mask up and, if you can, get vaccinated or set aside some time to get your booster. We are in this together, and I am so excited to be able to get together with friends and family that are all vaccinated. When I am not sure, I continue to stay masked up but continue to stay positive.

In case you were wondering about things at the County-City building, our staff have been working incredibly hard since the swearing in that happened on Jan. 4, 2021. We will be shutting things down so they can take their much needed and deserved break. The Council office will be closed Dec. 24 - 31, 2021. They have been amazing this year, and especially that last two months as we planned and budgeted for the next two years. Hoping you too will have the opportunity to rest.

Stay safe, mask up and take care.