Volunteer Voices

My Anchor

Iwona Sakrejda has been volunteering at Bloedel Reserve since 2015, and last week her commitment to the Reserve reached 1,000 volunteer hours.

After moving to Bainbridge Island she came to the Reserve to get to know the community and to be around people. This desire to be outside and to be with others comes from her roots. “I come from a farming family, it’s in my genes. I think it is important to give back to the community you live in and this is my way of contributing.” First, she felt shy and ashamed about asking the staff too many questions, now, she’s telling us what to do! “I was so cold because I started in November and it was raining but I was too ashamed to ask and finally I got to know everyone and [realized] they are very nice people and they helped me figure out what to wear to not be miserable.” Forming these close friendships with other dedicated volunteers and staff at the Reserve is one of the more important aspects of her time spend in the gardens.

For Iwona, a passion for the outdoors and gardening also ties to being physically active later in life. “It is a good way to exercise. It is very physical and I admire the people who work full days. They work so much yet are still willing to share with me, explaining, and telling me what plants go where and why, stories, it’s all very interesting. Being a docent is interesting in its own way but I just like being more physically active.”

In the end, when asked if there is one word she could use to describe Bloedel Reserve, she states: “It’s my Anchor. It’s my anchor in life. I first thought it’s peaceful, beautiful, amazing etc. but while that’s all true, It is a place that keeps me grounded.”

Photos and content provided by Seattle University winter quarter students.