Celebrating Christy Garrard’s 10 Years of Service to Highlands Council and Community
In 2010, Christy joined Highlands Council with a mission to bring the organization “back to life” following the recession, starting with building community engagement using Blakely Hall and Connections. With the support of volunteers, she grew the organization as the economy rebounded, hiring a talented staff who share her passion for building community and promoting Issaquah Highlands as a special place.
Christy (center) with members of the Highlands Youth Advisory Board (HY) in 2019.
In 2013, Christy established the Highlands Youth Advisory Board (HY) and continues to oversee the program and mentor its teen members today. She has served on the Grand Ridge Elementary Site Council for four years and as an Issaquah School District V.O.I.C.E Mentor for the last three years. Christy represents our community across the city as a member of the Greater Issaquah Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, an Issaquah Economic Development Vision Partner, a Certified Emergency Response Team member for Issaquah Emergency Management, a member of the city’s Creative Arts District Committee, a member of the Issaquah History Museum’s Past Forward Leadership Council, and a founding member of the Issaquah/Sammamish 100 Women Who Care charitable giving group.
This year, Christy launched and serves as president of the Issaquah Highlands Community Fund, a 501(c)(3) foundation and long-time goal of the organization. Christy is a certified grant writer and used those skills this year to jump-start an effort to find public transportation solutions for our community. Through a grant, Highlands Council received a 7-person passenger van from King County in October that will be used to provide rides to and from Blakely Hall when the facility re-opens post-pandemic.
Over the next five years, Christy’s goals include establishing a scholarship program for resident students via the Community Fund, improving public transportation access across our neighborhoods, keeping the desire for a community pool top of mind to the few remaining land developers within our boundaries, and growing the positive brand image of this unique and special urban village and its associated organizations nationally and internationally.
Photo (top): Christy Garrard at 2018’s Happy Birthday, Highlands Day! Photo by Julie Clegg.
Thank you, Christy!
Notes from Issaquah Highlands neighbors and friends. Video produced by Katie Cannon.
