Local Heroes Archive
- Christy Hughes: Working Mom & Passionate Advocate Named Volunteer of the Year
- Caity Rigg: Local Teen Makes Her Mark in WA House of Representatives
- The Nordstrom Organization, Family, and Employees
LOCAL HEROES: Christy Hughes: Working Mom & Passionate Advocate Named Volunteer of the Year
Christy Hughes—an inspiring mother of two, Microsoft manager, and JDRF Northwest Board member—was named the 2007 Volunteer of the Year at the JDRF Northwest chapter board meeting in June. Her journey began when her son Kyle was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes three years ago. Hughes came to JDRF Northwest through a connection with board member Morris Kremen, who organized Microsoft’s team for the Nordstrom Beat the Bridge to Beat Diabetes event. Since then, she’s committed tireless energy and passion to raise the profile of type 1 diabetes, research funding, and JDRF Northwest.
Hughes has shown extraordinary leadership, dedication, and persistence in the fight against type 1 diabetes since joining the board less than a year ago. She formed and chaired the first Communications Committee, developed a strategic communications plan, led a website redesign with her husband Kurt, and recruited public relations professionals to further raise the profile of JDRF’s mission. In her spare time, she formed a family team and raised funds for Beat the Bridge.
Hughes is praised and respected by all those who work with her. Recently, the Woodinville family was featured in a Seattle Times story on life with type 1 diabetes.
LOCAL HEROES: Caity Rigg: Local Teen Makes Her Mark in WA House of Representatives
Last spring, 15-year-old Caity Rigg of Enumclaw spent her spring break as a legislative page in the House of Representatives in Olympia, WA. She was sponsored by Representative Dan Roach, R-Bonney Lake. Caity and her family have been actively involved with JDRF Northwest since she was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at age 4. In 2005, she served as a delegate to the JDRF Children’s Congress in Washington D.C., where she joined forces with children from across the country to remind Congress and the Administration of the critical need to find a cure for type 1 diabetes.
An active advocate over the years, Caity has met with many local, state and national lawmakers, including Senators Murray and Cantwell, Representative Reichert, Washington State Senator Pam Roach, and Washington State Representatives Dan Roach and Jan Shabro. Her message remains clear -- encouraging government officials to support legislation for increased funding for diabetes research. It was a recent meeting with Dan Roach that prompted the representative to invite Caity to spend a week in Olympia as a House Page.
She spent the week delivering messages and documents to legislators in their office, committee meetings, and House chambers during floor sessions. She also attended legislative page school to learn more about state government. One assignment called for her to write a bill and present it to her colleagues. Her topic?
Caity wrote a bill advocating more funding for embryonic stem cell research—a fitting topic for this motivated teen who hopes to one day serve as a senator or representative, and finally find a cure for type 1 diabetes.
LOCAL HEROES: The Nordstrom Organization, Family, and Employee
We are thrilled to honor Seattle-based retailer Nordstrom as JDRF Northwest’s first local hero in the fight against type 1 diabetes. As JDRF Northwest marks the 25th anniversary of the Nordstrom Beat the Bridge to Beat Diabetes event on May 20, 2007, we owe a great debt of gratitude to the Nordstrom organization, family, and employees.
In the early 1980’s, three local families founded the JDRF Northwest Chapter to provide hope for their children with type 1 diabetes. Ray Johnson, one co-founder and then an executive at Nordstrom, often ran with colleagues from work. Together the Nordstrom employees hatched the idea for a new road race, Nordstrom Beat the Bridge, which would raise funds and awareness for diabetes research. Just over 1,000 runners gathered at Husky Stadium in Seattle in 1983 for the first race against the raising of the University Bridge.
“It was a work of love, and we made a lot of mistakes,” says Johnson of first race, “but it has gathered steam every year.” Johnson recalls that then-president John Nordstrom created the t-shirt designs in those early years. The t-shirts have changed, but Nordstrom’s commitment to diabetes research has continued every year.
Indeed Nordstrom Beat the Bridge to Beat Diabetes has raised over $9 million since 1983 and has grown to one of the largest 8k races in the country. JDRF Northwest hopes to reach the $10 million mark to fund diabetes research at the 25th anniversary event in 2007. And the Nordstrom organization and employees have donated their time, talents, and financial support every step of the way.
"We are proud of how committed our employees have been over the past 25 years to Nordstrom Beat the Bridge to Beat Diabetes," said Brent Harris, Nordstrom executive vice president and regional manager for Washington/Alaska. "Along with the dedication of JDRF Northwest, local businesses, and the community, everyone involved plays a vital role in raising the funds needed to bring us closer to finding a cure for diabetes."
About Nordstrom:
Headquartered in Seattle, Nordstrom, Inc. is one of the nation's leading fashion specialty retailers, with 155 U.S. stores located in 27 states. Learn more at http://www.nordstrom.com.