I’m happy to recognize February Volunteer of the Month, Lisa Collins, for her years of volunteer service to Issaquah Highlands. Lisa was one of the first people I met in our neighborhood, first through Issaquah Highlands Book Club and then the community’s long-running bunco group. Over the years, Lisa has volunteered in community governance, at events, and as leader of Book Club. When we had to close Blakely Hall due to the pandemic, Lisa didn’t hesitate to move Book Club online, fostering a monthly place for community connection in a time when we needed it most.
Thank you, Lisa!
— Lindsey Pinkston, Community Program Manager, Highlands Council, and Wisteria Park Resident
Lisa with her children, Will and Anna. Photo by Julie Clegg.
I moved to Issaquah Highlands more than 16 years ago after moving to Seattle from Boston. I liked the Issaquah area because of its location: it was easy to get downtown for baseball games or symphony concerts, to Bellevue for more shopping and restaurants, to the surrounding mountains and nature, and Redmond for work. I liked living in a more temperate climate; able to visit snowcapped mountains without living in the snow for months. For ten years, my yellow Labrador would accompany me on walks and hikes around this beautiful area.
I am a single mom to almost 8-year-old twins, Will and Anna, who are in remote learning 2nd grade at Clark Elementary. I work mostly remote for Honeywell Aerospace. I am asked daily when we can get a new dog.
I came to Washington without knowing anyone here. I met the majority of my friends at neighborhood events and activities. I was the voting member for my neighborhood before we had an Issaquah Highlands Community Association (IHCA) Board of Directors (and was even the secretary because no one else would volunteer).
I am an avid reader. I knew the idea of a community book club was for me when neighbors first discussed the idea. For more than 15 years, I have loved getting together with friends to discuss a variety of books. To continue our group this long, as members moved away and new neighbors joined, the leaders of book club changed. I helped plan meetings, led some of the discussions, and took on leadership of the group a few years ago. Over the years, the members of the Issaquah Highlands Book Club may have changed, but the group continues. When the pandemic hit in 2020 and Blakely Hall closed, we started meeting online and have not missed a month.
Because of book club, I have read books I never would have picked up on my own and have introduced books to others who would not have read them otherwise. I have had exciting conversations and heard a variety of opinions that books can inspire. Because of book club, I have made wonderful lifelong friends.
Issaquah Highlands Book Club meets on the third Tuesday of every month (all meetings are currently virtual). Find the 2021 book list and details on joining the group here >>
Inspired to get involved in our community? Find current volunteer opportunities or reach out to Lindsey Pinkston for more information.
