MARYSVILLE — Mayor Jon Nehring is proud to honor Mike and Elaine Ferri as Volunteers of the Month for February for their volunteer work through the Marysville Kiwanis Club and the Marysville Community Food Bank.

Mike Ferri has been active in the Marysville Kiwanis Club for more than 40 years, while Elaine Ferri has been a member for 15 years. Both have served as president and in various officer positions with the club. Mike is currently serving as the club’s treasurer, while Elaine is currently serving as its past president.

The Ferris are actively involved with the Marysville Community Food Bank on behalf of Kiwanis, and they play a large part in the annual holiday All-City Food Drive, which kicks off on the first Saturday of November. The Ferris coordinate distribution of the red holiday food barrels to more than 70 stores and other public places for the food bank.

Mike Ferri has been volunteering at the food bank for eight years, serving on its Toy Store Committee and helping out on food distribution days when he can. He makes the rounds regularly to distribute and pick up the barrels, and to ensure they’re in good shape. The barrels provide an easy way for people to donate food and toys to less fortunate families. Last year’s drive and related donation activities generated 20 tons of food to assist about 1,300 families, and put about 1,000 toys in the hands of happy children, making their holidays a little brighter.

“It goes without saying that Mike and Elaine go above and beyond in their community service, giving selflessly of themselves to make the lives of others better,” said Nehring, who added that the Ferris are quick to share credit and accolades with the entire volunteer corps.

Mike Ferri is a retired Postmaster, while Elaine Ferri worked as a secretary at Central Washington University in Ellensburg where they met, and retired from Everett Community College in November of 2005. Both are from Yakima and moved to Marysville in 1984. Though both are retired, they haven’t slowed down in working to make Marysville a better community.

The Ferris are also active in the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association.

From fundraisers to food drives, the Ferris have reached out to their community to help make Marysville a friendlier and more caring place, mostly through their involvement in Kiwanis.

Nehring applauded Marysville’s service clubs — such as Kiwanis, Rotary, Soroptimists and the Lions — that regularly give of their time and resources to contribute toward a better future for children and all members of the community.

Nehring noted that the city’s Parks and Recreation Department trusts that it can count on support and involvement from Kiwanis to help with some of their most popular community events, including the annual Youth Fishing Derby and Pancake Breakfast at Kiwanis Pond in Jennings Park, the Father/Daughter Valentine’s Dance, providing free popcorn at the Popcorn in the Park Summer Movie Series, and through food service at events like Touch-a-Truck, Poochapalooza, and Merrysville for the Holidays, among other venues.

“If you have ever attended these events, there is a good chance that you met Mike or Elaine, if you don’t know them already,” Nehring said.

Mike and Elaine Ferri have been married for 32 years. They have three daughters and four grandchildren. When they’re not doting on their grandkids, they love to travel.