The Bethel School District, under the leadership of Tom Seigel several years ago, began having meetings with key leaders in the community. These meetings are held three times a year and they help steer the district in a direction compatible with sensitivities of the public.

The most recent Mid- County Leadership meeting was October 22. PLU, Franklin Pierce and now Eatonville also participate. The meeting has become so popular with the local community leaders, that Pierce County councilmembers and departments heads are often seen there as well. These sessions have become the place where popular policies begin. Tom Seigle stunned them a few years ago with his appeal for more infrastructure, and a push for sidewalks on B Street, and the introduction of Family Promise to assist with the homeless situation.

Most cities have Chambers of Commerce. At one time, the Tacoma Pierce County Chamber had a South County Chapter in the Parkland Spanaway area, but those meetings slowly dissolved around 2010. The Mid County Leadership meeting Wednesday had around 75 attendees, including five Deputy Sheriff representatives, 3 County Council members, 3 superintendents and the President of PLU. Also represented were Parkland, Frederickson, Graham-Kapowsin, and Spanaway Community groups, Rotary, Kiwanis, the Parks Department, Health Department, and Blue Zones. There are a lot of interests, ideas, and just getting to know the key leaders of the community.

Mid-County has discussed the Medical Center at PLU, the Parkland Trail Project, crime, homelessness, the Good Neighbor Village, and many other significant projects.

On October 23, the District hosted the Faith Leaders Meeting. This group of nearly 60 is considerably different in composition and mission. It has pastors and key members from local congregations, food bank volunteers, Safe Streets, Family Promise, a number of school counselors, social workers, and outreach teams. A large focus is on homeless students, families in need, medical needs for students and families, breakfast and lunch programs, and giving to clothing banks, food banks, and other community services. In addition, this is solely inside the Bethel District.

The number of McKinney Vento students (unhoused) in the district has shrunk a little. That was good news to hear. From a peak of around 800 it is currently at about 450. Family promise has now begun to take on Thurston, Mason, Kitsap, and King Counties. Their successful model may well be part of the reason the homeless numbers have shrunk. Yet, there are still 114 families in Pierce County waiting to be assisted.

The LDS Church had a number of representatives touting the Giving Machine at the South Hill Mall, the Interfaith Christmas Concert, and members assisting other groups with volunteers through their “Just Serve” project. The Bethel Family Center talked about food, clothing, and diapers for families and where donations are accepted. Food banks like Harvest House near Rocky Ridge and the Spanaway Lutheran Church location were present to remind others to give for the holiday season.

Tom Seigel once called the Bethel School District a resource desert. It sure sounded like there is a strong community effort to change that fact.