The 2021 Progress Edition is a record of what went right when things got more than tough in the Wenatchee Valley and North Central Washington.
This collection of stories and photos recognizes people for the good they did to make a difference.
Learn more about this special section in a note from our Managing Editor Russ Hemphill. Read here.
Community Impact Award Winners
The Wenatchee World's 2021 Community Impact Awards honor those who made a difference in a year like no other. Meet them below.
WENATCHEE — Dr. Mabel Bodell has made significant contributions in educating the Latino community with valuable COVID-19 information.
WENATCHEE — Blair McHaney doesn’t give up.
WENATCHEE — Dr. Malcom Butler became the health officer of the Chelan-Douglas Health District in April and found himself in a lead role for two communities.
WENATCHEE — Ever since the first grade, having only recently seen her first snowfall and after being left in the hall because she could not speak English, the 7-year-old immigrant from Mexico dreamed of being an educator so that others like her would have it better.
WENATCHEE — Thom Nees, executive director of Serve Wenatchee Valley, helped organize a large-scale drive-thru food bank at the Town Toyota Center in March. He connected local organizations in order to supply a growing food need at the onset of statewide layoffs due to COVID-19 shutdowns.
Explore the people, organizations and traditions that keep Wenatchee moving forward
For the 2021 Progress Edition, The Wenatchee World reflected on the past year. Who persevered? Who showed innovation? Whose stories will be remembered?
Next February, The Wenatchee World will honor five people in our communities with the 2022 Impact Awards.
Dr. Mabel Bodell has pushed hard to get critical COVID-19 information to Latinos in the Wenatchee Valley.
Thom Nees is executive director of Serve Wenatchee Valley, a major church-backed provider of social services in Chelan and Douglas counties.
Alma Chacón, a longtime educator and co-founder of a thriving Wenatchee non-profit, is seemingly everywhere when it comes to efforts to address issues affecting Latinos.
You may feel like you know Dr. Malcom Butler. As the health officer of the Chelan-Douglas Health District he has become the face of the Wenatchee Valley medical community in the fight to control COVID-19.
Blair McHaney, CEO of Worx gyms in the Wenatchee Valley and a fitness software company, led a statewide effort to develop COVID-19 safety protocols to allow more than 740 gyms to reopen.
WENATCHEE — History isn’t always just for museums and books. Sometimes it comes with a cherry on it.
Kaenen Deis, 5, right, jumps in excitement over finding a book about the Transformer cartoon character called BumbleBee at a neighborhood book-sharing spot through Little Free Library. At left, Kaenen's mother, Sarah, and brother Declan, 9, look at what's inside. The little library on the co…
WENATCHEE — The Washington State Apple Blossom Festival has been taken place for more than a century — and it doesn't happen all on its own.
In the year 2020 we really need to thank the entire healthcare system, from the Chelan-Douglas Health District to the doctors and nurses, for combatting COVID-19.
Tony Buhr
Environment, county and health reporter
WENATCHEE — Catholic Charities Housing Services added 67 affordable homes to the Wenatchee Valley early in 2020.
WENATCHEE — NCW Libraries is so much more than the beautifully renovated Wenatchee Public Library in downtown Wenatchee.
Abby Wyatt, Wenatchee, paints a trout on the front window of her neighbor's house in the 600 block of Pearl Street.
WENATCHEE — The Heart Breaker runs in February 2020 attracted about 400 started this shorter race while 50 participated in the 10K run along the Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail.
CHELAN — As you stroll through Lakeside Park in Chelan, in one corner are several square tarps laid out with blankets on top and kids perched on lawn chairs.
Ian Dunn
Education Reporter
Britta Peaslee, 8, Wenatchee, took wearing a mask to a whole new level as she gathered a bag of treats at Wenatchee Internet Academy's drive-up Costume and Treat Car Parade for Halloween.
WENATCHEE — Hundreds of people gathered in Memorial Park in June to protest the death of George Floyd, a black man who was killed by police in Minneapolis.
Reilly Kneedler
World staff writer
WENATCHEE — Artists Heather Dappen and Ellen Smith teamed up in August to paint a mural on the 115-foot long, 8-foot high retaining wall overlooking the parking lot at the Wenatchee YMCA.
Don Seabrook
Photo Editor
In March 2020 Wenatchee Valley food banks were gearing up to handle expected increases for food.
EAST WENATCHEE — The Cold Springs Fire jumped the Columbia River near Bridgeport on Labor Day, became the Pearl Hill Fire and then burned 223,730 acres in Douglas County.
Nevonne McDaniels
Reporter
OKANOGAN — When the Cold Springs Fire removed people from their homes with animals and belongings in tow, Naomie Peasley leapt into action.
Tony Buhr
Environment, county and health reporter
WENATCHEE — The Apple Blossom Festival organizers in October used the the parade float to celebrate the retirement of Jeff Neher, a long-time festival volunteer.
Tony Buhr
Environment, county and health reporter
The 2021 Progress Edition is a record of what went right when things got more than tough in the Wenatchee Valley and North Central Washington.
WENATCHEE — Dr. Malcom Butler became the health officer of the Chelan-Douglas Health District in April and found himself in a lead role for two communities.
Tony Buhr
Environment, county and health reporter
One of the projects that I devote time to is the North Central Education Foundation, which gives $300 grants to creative teachers for hands-on learning projects. The premise behind this grant program is that teachers often use their own resources in the classroom and the grant program is des…
Rufus Woods
Publisher Emeritus
WENATCHEE — Orchestra Director Beth Jensen originally planned for students to end the year at Wenatchee High School with a large music performance in Town Toyota Center.
WENATCHEE — Town Toyota Center became home for the largest food bank in the Wenatchee Valley early in the pandemic shutdown.
Assistant Manager of From Scratch By Us, Brenda Kee, puts french fries into boxed lunches at the cafe inside Wenatchee Valley College Thursday, April 16, 2020, destined for the staff of Central Washington Hospital.
Nevonne McDaniels
Reporter
Getting ready for Memorial Day weekend, from left, Skip Atkerson, KJ DeShazo, Jeff Pulver, and Zac Smith, all of Wenatchee, put flags on veterans grave markers at the Wenatchee Cemetery. Around 2,500 flags were distributed by about 35 volunteers and cemetery staff members in honor of Memoria…
Don Seabrook
Photo Editor
WENATCHEE — When Gov. Jay Inslee's pandemic orders closed schools, lunch workers kept busy prepping hundreds of free meals for young children and teens.
Before the pandemic, seniors watch the movie "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" during the monthly Memories At The PAC program at the Numerica Performing Arts Center in Wenatchee.
Don Seabrook
Photo Editor
WENATCHEE — The WRAC kept classes going during the pandemic by streaming workouts, including Dean Marney's gentle-yoga class.
Zach Johnson
Sports Reporter
WENATCHEE — Years of effort to preserve public land — and easy access to public trails — near the Wenatchee Valley paid off big when the pandemic hit.
