MARYSVILLE They spelled her name wrong on the plaque, but Joyce Moseley (not Mosely) doesnt mind in the least.
Im not going to complain because its really nice, she said.
Weeks after receiving the award, Moseley, 74, of Marysville, still is beaming from the attention she received after being named an MVP (Most Valuable Participant) by the National Fraternal Congress of America.
A member of the local chapter of the Woodmen of the World, Moseley won a two-day trip to Washington, D.C., earlier this month, where she not only received her slightly jumbled plaque, but also met with U.S. Sen. Patty Murray and U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen.
According to the National Fraternal Councils Rose Riccetti, Moseley teared up a bit when Larsen asked her how she had earned the MVP award. All Moseley could say was that she wasnt sure she was really worthy.
According to Moseley, at that point she earned a hug from the Congressman.
This was by far the highest honor I ever received and not one I was expecting, she said.
While shes been volunteering for about 50 years, what won Moseley the MVP prize was what she estimated to be 2,200 hours of volunteer work last year. Much of that time was spent putting together dolls and crocheting blankets, hats and other items, all of which were donated to charities such as Ronald McDonald House.
Moseley also bakes up cookies and candies that go to charity. Even though she says she likes doing things she can accomplish from her rocking chair, Moseley also spends lots of time with the Northwest Harvest Food Bank. She is treasurer of the local chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons. Over the coming holidays, shell be cooking turkey and trimmings for donation by her church. Still, she spends much of her volunteer time with the Woodmen.
The group appeared in 1890 in Omaha, Neb., providing insurance and support to widows. They still provide insurance and loans to members, but also involve themselves in lots of charity work.
Its always somebody helping somebody, Moseley said. The local Woodmen chapter is headquartered in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle.
Moseley traces some of the incentive for her volunteer work to a 1978 accident that left her unable to work. She was in a lot of pain for years afterwards, enough that she believed she was injuring herself further and planned to cut down on some of her activities. Then she ran into doctors who not only helped manage the pain, but also assured her she was not doing herself any harm. At that point, Moseley figured she had to just keep moving.
If I ever stop doing things, I may never be able to start again, she said.
Further, while she has trouble walking and suffers from arthritis, she has no plans to slow down.
As long as I can use my arms and my fingers, I will keep right on going, Moseley said.