congratulations to The 2026 Gala Awardees!
Darwin Peters III and Young Suk Goering
Darwin's commitment to community service has continued to expand over the years through meaningful leadership and service roles. He has served on the Board of Directors for Communities in Schools of Lakewood, the USA Track & Field Pacific Northwest Association, and the Pierce County Equity Review Committee. He has also contributed as a member of the Lakewood Library Advisory Committee and participated in numerous focus groups and panels supporting the Clover Park School District. Most recently, Darwin and his wife founded the Smooth Transitions Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to youth engagement and community support, with a mission centered on empowering youth, building leaders, and strengthening communities.
Young Suk Goering volunteered and served 28 years as the Principal of the Korean Language School in the First Baptist Church in the Pierce County to multicultural students. Her high-quality leadership and passion to promote long-term bilingual benefits for the multicultural community students have been very successful. Under her leadership, many students learned how to read, write, speak Korean, and learned Korean culture and custom. Young Suk inspired teachers to volunteer their time every Saturday to teach students. In turn, Young Suk prepared home cooked meal for students and staff members of 35-50 people every Saturday for 28 years, and it is ongoing.
These are only condensed descriptions of what these two incredible individuals have accomplished in their journeys of servitude to their communities.
Darwin Peters III and Young Suk Goering, you truly embody the spirit of the Dr. Claudia Thomas Award! We thank you for your love, service and commitment to our communities!
THE EVENT OF THE YEAR!
LMCC is most pleased to announce the 4th Annual Dr. Claudia Thomas Community Service Award Gala! There are a limited number of tickets/tables available for this fabulous Formal event. Purchase your tickets now & join us for a grand evening of Fun, Fellowship, Delicious Food, Entertainment and Celebration of Community!
Dr Claudia Thomas Community service award Gala 2026 Speaker
David Boyd, Retired Sergeant Major
Born into a military family, David Boyd spent his childhood living in multiple states and
countries, attending a variety of elementary and secondary schools along the way. He
later earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Chapman University and a
Master of Rehabilitation Counseling from Utah State University. He is also a Nationally
Certified Rehabilitation Counselor through the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor
Certification (CRCC).
David’s professional background includes a distinguished 23-year career in the United
States Army, retiring at the rank of Sergeant Major. During his service, he held
numerous leadership roles within armor and airborne units both in the U.S. and abroad.
He is a graduate of the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy in El Paso,
Texas, and a veteran of the Gulf War.
Following his military service, David completed a second 23-year career with the U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration. He retired as the
Director of the Vocational Rehabilitation Services Division at the Seattle Regional
Office, a GS-15 position in which he led administrators, counselors, and staff
responsible for delivering rehabilitation benefits and services to veterans across
Washington, Idaho, and British Columbia, Canada. He also served in several national
leadership roles, including appointments to the National Field Advisory Committee, the
New Manager’s Training Cadre, and as a Joint Agency Liaison.
David remains active in community service and philanthropy. He currently serves as
President of the Board of Directors for the Golden Futures Foundation, sits on the Board
of Directors of Tacoma’s Buffalo Soldiers Museum, is a member of the Steilacoom
Kiwanis, and attends Redeem Church, among other local engagements.
He resides in Steilacoom, Washington, with his wife, Lisa, a retired public-school
administrator. He is the proud father of three adult children—Angela, Kristopher, and
Cameron—and grandfather to his granddaughter, Hadley.
2026 GALA Was a Blast!
To view Gala 26 photos- click on GALLERY Button.
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