Aside from her husband and four children, Peggy LaPorte was searching for her purpose in life 23 years ago.
She gathered a group of friends around her kitchen table to discuss how they could raise funds to serve the homeless and that ended up being the best decision she ever made.
“Little did I know, we were starting a nonprofit,” said LaPorte during a recognition ceremony on Wednesday in Olympia, as the Association of Washington Generals recognized her with the 2015 Washingtonian of the Year Award. The award is presented annually to persons who have demonstrated leadership, selflessness, generosity and compassion in their service to others.
LaPorte is the founder and president of FUSION (Friends United to Shelter the Indigent, Oppressed and Needy), an organization that temporarily houses and supports homeless in Federal Way and Northeast Tacoma and assists with employment.
“Being a part of this amazing nonprofit has fulfilled me in more ways than I could have ever dreamed possible,” LaPorte said in an email. “I give my time because I enjoy working for a great cause surrounded by like-minded, compassionate and enthusiastic volunteers that share their God-given talents to fulfill a need to serve in our community. The effect from witnessing the positive changes in families that FUSION has helped, has given me a passion that I cannot explain. I know that I have a true sense of purpose in my life — the ultimate gift.”
During the event, she recounted one of those positive changes she witnessed when a homeless girl and her mother moved into to one of FUSION’s temporary homes.
“Mommy, can we please stay here for more than one night?” LaPorte recalled the girl said with excitement. “Think about that.”
Roger Flygare, the president/commanding general of the Association of Washington Generals, nominated LaPorte for the Washingtonian of the Year recognition. He nominated her because she and FUSION “have made such a positive impact” in the community and statewide.
Flygare said when he spoke with LaPorte earlier this year about whether he could nominate her for the award, she said, “This should really be awarded to everyone who contributes to the success of FUSION.”
She also said during the event she wished she could rename the award to “Washingtonians of the Year” so that FUSION volunteers could also be recognized.
Flygare said to him that “reflects the integrity of her mission in life, her selflessness in helping others who find themselves struggling to keep their families together and enriching everyone along the way.”
He added that many others in the community provided letters in support of LaPorte’s nomination, including King County Councilman Pete von Reichbauer, Sen. Mark Miloscia, Reps. Linda Kochmar and Carol Gregory, Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell, Diana Noble-Gulliford and others.
Deputy Mayor Jeanne Burbidge, who was at the event — and one of those women who sat around LaPorte’s kitchen table 23 years ago — said in an email that LaPorte’s dedication to providing transitional housing and support toward people moving forward in their lives “continues to make a great difference. Intrinsic to this effort, she has inspired a wonderful group of volunteers, who devote their energies and talent with FUSION.”
LaPorte said the honor means so much to her as it recognizes FUSION’s purpose and the positive impact it has made in the community.
“This honor can also cause a ripple effect as others may feel inspired to answer that call to serve,” LaPorte said. “There are limitless ways to help make our community a better place and all it takes is a passion to make a difference and persistence to make it happen. I want to thank the community we serve for their generous support and also thank our dedicated volunteers who give innumerable hours to our mission.”
For more information about FUSION, visit www.fusionfederalway.org.
