Congratulations to Central Park resident Chelsea Musick for being selected as February’s Volunteer of the Month! She has served on several boards in Issaquah Highlands, and recently started attending board meetings with Highlands Fiber Network (HFN). You can usually find her bartending during bingo nights or helping around Blakely Hall whenever possible. Thanks for all you do, Chelsea!
She had the following to say about her time volunteering and living in Issaquah Highlands:
When did you move to Issaquah Highlands? And from where?
I grew up in the Fairwood area of Renton and visited Issaquah often while growing up. After graduating from the University of Washington, I lived in various areas (Bellevue, Lynnwood, Queen Anne, Ballard). We put an offer on a house in 2012 (and dealt with a slight bidding war). Even during the housing market crash, people wanted to live in Issaquah Highlands!
Why did you choose to live in Issaquah Highlands?
When it was time for our oldest to attend kindergarten, we searched for the best school districts and decided on Issaquah, and quickly decided specifically on Issaquah Highlands. It had everything we could want!
One of my favorite first photos of the neighborhood is my son Caius playing at Central Park with views of the mountains around him. I also remember coming out to view houses and being shocked when we took exit 18 and drove up to Issaquah Highlands. It is just so gorgeous out here. I immediately knew where I wanted to live.
Could you tell us about your family?
I have two kids (Caius, 16, who attends Issaquah High School, and Adara, 11, who goes to Grand Ridge Elementary). My husband Grant works at Amazon.
How did you become involved as a volunteer in IH? And how did your involvement keep growing?
When we moved to Issaquah Highlands in 2012, I discovered so many options for volunteering – and many that I could do from home and coordinate around my schedule. And what better way to get to know my neighbors and community? So, I jumped at the chance to volunteer from the comfort of my chair!
I started by offering to serve as co-administrator of the “Issaquah Highlands Free Exchange” Facebook group. I enjoyed it so much that I offered to help administer the “unofficial” Issaquah Highlands Facebook group when the opportunity arose. I loved hearing from my neighbors (even if it was just about parking or dog messes).
In 2015, I started a monthly “photo treasure hunt” in Connections, which was yet another opportunity for me to fit in volunteering around my schedule. As a somewhat recent arrival to the city, it was also a great way to find the hidden gems and have an excuse to really explore the neighborhood.
All those experiences led to more hands-on opportunities, such as helping to organize 2017’s Shop Local Holiday Bazaar, when I felt that I finally had enough free time to commit to something away from my keyboard. I had made a lot of friends in the community, and I enjoyed getting out in the neighborhood and spending time with them. I’ve also found the more I volunteer, the more I want to volunteer.
After that, I started volunteering for whatever role was needed. I just love getting involved and giving back!
Have you had other volunteer roles while living in Issaquah Highlands?
I am currently on the Grand Ridge PTSA Board of Directors as well as a Girl Scout troop leader. I have also served on the board for the Issaquah Highlands Community Fund (IHCF), which is currently paused.
Additionally, I am a co-leader for the ADHD Caregiver Support Group, which meets on the first Thursday of every month at Blakely Hall from 10-11:30 a.m.
In the past, I served on the Pacific Cascade Middle School and Issaquah High School PTSA boards, on the Girl Scout service unit leadership team, and as co-leader of the Issaquah Highlands Bunco group. I also co-lead the “Research Admin Peer Network” and manage an active Teams channel for research administrators at the UW.
Tell us about your experience with Issaquah Highlands boards…
My first experience was the IHCF. Now, I’m starting to attend meetings with the Highlands Fiber Network (HFN) Board of Directors, and I’m really enjoying it! Everyone is really knowledgeable, and I love hearing about the history of the neighborhood. I do love serving on boards because you get to know the behind-the-scenes details and interact with the people who are actually making a difference in the neighborhood and for their community.
Are you inspired to get involved in the Issaquah Highlands community?
Opportunities are available!
Click here to discover all the different ways you can get involved in our Issaquah Highlands community, including opportunities to join boards and committees, as well as urgent needs at local nonprofits.
Questions? Contact Lindsey Pinkston, Highlands Council Executive Director.
