Working with the Volunteer Chore Program has proved to be very rewarding, not only for myself as the Program Director, but also for the 100+ volunteers that put in their time and talents each year to help seniors and adults with disabilities who are low-income in our community.

This week, after all the questionable nonprofit organizations in the news, I'd like to highlight one of my favorite nonprofit organizations. Red Feather Development Group, started by Robert Young in 1995, builds sustainable housing for homeless native Americans living on reservations in the middle of nowhere.

Bellingham continues to rate as a “top ten” city over and over again in national magazines. Amidst this breathless buzz of journalists citing everything from incredible mountain biking options to best access for paddling adventures, I’d like to point out a more salient reason we’re a top ten city: people who live here give back to their community and we are all better off for it.

New Year’s resolutions – such as lose weight, stop smoking, make new friends, learn something new – usually fall by the wayside even before January runs out.