Village Green Foundation

About the Village Green Foundation

Our Board of Directors

Beth Berglund, Treasurer

Retired

Beth grew up in a suburb of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Her chemical engineering degree from the University of Wisconsin (Madison) was in pursuit of a resource conservation role which she found at the pharmaceutical company, Merck, where she worked for 25 years. Since moving to Kingston from New Jersey in 2008, she joined the Stillwaters Board of Directors, started volunteering at the front desk of the Village Green Community Center, became co-chair of the Kingston Citizens Advisory Council (KCAC), and has participated in a variety of other local non-profit services. Beth enjoys living close to the earth in the PNW, near both her sister’s family and her parents.

Michèle Laboda, Board Member

Fire Service Professional

Michele’s long-standing support of the Village Green and other key organizations springs from the idea that a community is strengthened when its members can form connection through multi-use spaces like the Village Green. Working with local pre-school and elementary students through North Kitsap Fire & Rescue’s prevention programs for over twenty years, Michele has strong ties with educators as well as with children and their families. She has worked in Kingston since 1994 and lived here since 1999.

Debi Tanner, Board Member

Financial Advisor

Debi Tanner has been a financial advisor for Edward Jones in Kingston for more than 11 years, has lived in Kingston area since 1993. She is also an active participant of Kiwanis of greater Poulsbo, member of Kingston Chamber of Commerce, likes to golf, play Chinese Mah Jong, visiting with her children and world travel.

Nancy Martin, Board Member Emeritus

Retired

Nancy moved to Kingston in 2006 and served on the original Village Green Board. Prior to that Nancy was President of Martingale and Company, a book publishing company, until she and her husband Dan sold the business to their employees in 2007. Nancy is the great mind behind our signature event, Pie in the Park and is also responsible for starting the Festival of Wreaths (once known as the Festival of Trees). She is very active on the Village Green Arts Committee and serves on the current foundation board as an emeritus member, bringing much needed historical knowledge to the table.

Kay Peiguss, Board Member Emeritus

Retired

A graduate of Purdue University, Kay brings a rich background with her service on the Village Green Foundation board. The long-time Kingston resident has worked in education and retail. As a TWA flight attendant and a U.S. Navy wife, she has traveled the world. More recently, she was an officer on the Foundation board as the organization made critical decisions that started construction on the building. That historical perspective is valuable as she returns to the board as one of two emeritus members.

Timeline

History

In 2002, Kingston set out to replace the small Washington state town’s aging and inadequate community center. The intention was to create a new heart of the community including space for the library, seniors and youth. A non-profitfoundation—now called the Village Green Foundation (VGF)—was started. Over 100 volunteer community members built the park, and the project’s signature event – Pie in the Park – was launched. People paid hundreds of dollars for delicious, locally-made pies with proceeds going toward the building fund. Other gifts of every size rolled in.

The Village Green Metropolitan Park District (VGMPD) was established by voter approval of an August 2010 ballot measure. The VGMPD would provide an on-going funding source for maintenance and operations of the park and, once completed, the building.

After more than a decade of fundraising, the VGF Board of Directors had building plans and three-quarters of the project’s $9.1 million price tag inhand. Concerned that construction costs were rising and momentum might slow, the VGF board hoped to break ground in the spring of 2015. Three generous local families stepped up to provide bridge financing for the remaining funds, and construction began.

The award-winning building opened on April 30, 2016. Since then, the Village Green Community Center has exceeded expectations – as a structure, as a gathering place and as an extraordinary example of continued grassroots cooperation. It houses the Kingston branch of the Kitsap Regional Library, the North Kitsap Boys and Girls Club and the Kingston Super Seniors lunches. It is owned by the VGF, operated and staffed by the VGMPD’s one full-time employee and one part-time employee, along with forty volunteers. Scores of community groups use the building for public meetings, classes and events. Pickleball players and other athletes of all ages take advantage of the building’s full-size gym. The VGF subsidizes the building’s low-cost adult exercise programs and intergenerational activities, Music at the Green concerts as well as the rotating art exhibits in the building’s Grand Hallway Gallery.

So many have done their part, giving their time and resources, to make this dream a reality. You can be a part of it, too. Consider giving to the VGF to help fund Village Green programs with a one-time donation or on-going Evergreen contribution. Or, offer your expertise and your time as a volunteer for the Village Green.

Funding