Bolin honored as chamber's top volunteer

SANDPOINT — The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce honored Gail Bolin, native plant and environmental science expert, as December’s Volunteer of the Month.

Bolin was honored for her service to the community and many of the area’s non-profit organizations. Bolin is an all-star volunteer that cares about the environment, children and our entire community, said chamber spokesman Mack Deibel.

“Her work can be seen all over and her generosity is extensive,” he added.

Bolin is president of the Kinnikinnick Native Plate Society and of the Idaho Master Naturalist-Pend Oreille Chapter. She established and created a native project in the city of Dover. She is volunteering to assist in the replanting of the flower beds at Hickory Park in Sandpoint, the creation of the new park in Ponderay, behind the Panhandle Animal Shelter, and is working on the Waterlife Discovery Center.

“This wonderful woman has helped me write three grants so the Panhandle Animal Shelter can plant native and has successfully recruited the assistance of native plant farms, adult volunteer groups and high schools students to help us complete our front yard,” passionately described Mandy Evans. “Not to mention she designed the new plan and has been working on this project with us for over a year.”

Jan Wasserburger applauded Bolin for her generosity with her time and expertise, and added she makes a concerted effort to impact the lives of at-risk students in a positive manner. Bolin, who teaches and volunteers to educate LPOHS students about native plants, ultimately shows them people in the community care about them, Wasserburger said.

“I am always amazed at how much good community work Gail manages to juggle and bring to completion,” Bob Wilson of the Kinnikinnick Native Plant Society said. “We are very lucky to have her in the area and I am thankful for her leadership.”

Nancy and John Hastings of All Seasons Garden & Floral agreed.

“Gail is always a pleasure to work with and is always organized, thorough and inspirational,” they said.