Honorable Recognition for Local ALSC Member

It is with great enthusiasm the Angle Lake Shore Club Blog announce area resident and ALSC club member, Gene Tonnemaker, had received honorary recognition at a recent neighborhood park dedication and naming ceremony.

The park located next to Galliano’s on Military Road So. was built by Rotary members and community partners as part of a community enhancement project. It is here that the SeaTac Rotary proudly dedicated the park to charter member, club founder and Director Emeritus, Gene Tonnemaker on Friday June 14th. The dedication ceremonies included an announcement of the new park name, Integration Peace Park with additional comments provided by Mayor Tony Anderson, Rotary Assistant Governor Isabella McPeak, ILS Manager Joseph Emmanuel and Past President Diane Gallegos. Immediately following the ceremonies everyone present gathered for an ice cream social and a game of volleyball.

SeaTac Rotary named the park, Integration Peace Park for two significant reasons. First, because the property is owned by Integration Living Services, a non-profit organization that has an adult living facility for the disabled next to the park property. And second, because it has become a peaceful and inviting place for people from various cultures to gather, eat food, visit, and connect.

The project and park was the vision and efforts of past SeaTac Rotary President, Diane Gallegos. Providing her leadership, along with Rotarian labor and community support from SeaTac Firefighters, AmeriCorps members, and ILS staff and residents, the park transformed from an unusable and overgrown space to an attractive place to sit, play games, and gather for parties. The park offers visitors walking paths, benches, blooming plants, and lush green grass.

The park honors Rotarian, Gene Tonnemaker, who started the SeaTac Rotary and was a guiding and supportive club member for many years. He also held many leadership positions in the Rotary organization, including that of District Governor.

Rotary is an international service organization that positively impacts communities both locally and on a global scale. Members develop professional connections, grow long-lasting friendships, and enhance their leadership skills both socially and ethically. Rotarians are the kind of people who step forward to take on important issues and change the world….bringing peace through service.  SeaTac Rotary is probably best known for the annual hosting of the International Festival at Angle Lake Park, their Back to School Back Pack Program and the various other school and community benefit programs offered in SeaTac.

Congratulations Gene Tonnemaker on the esteemed recognition you have received from your peers.