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St. Vincent de Paul Bremerton

This season, as our community gathered for Harbor of Hope, St. Vincent de Paul Bremerton launched something truly special — an award that reflects the best of who we are and what happens when compassion becomes action.

The Patricia Weygandt Service Award honors a legacy of humble, persistent, and transformational service. It celebrates individuals whose commitment to neighbors echoes the spirit of St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who said, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” In Bremerton, those “small things” have built a remarkable movement of hope.

Back in 2016, a small group of women asked: “Could we pull together an event to tell the Stella Maris House story — and raise some money?” What began as a humble idea has grown into a tradition that sustains Stella Maris House year after year. These gatherings have funded countless nights of shelter and dignity for women rebuilding their lives, filling the small gaps that make big differences — rent, transportation, groceries, deposits for safe housing.

Behind every event and every life uplifted has been a circle of volunteers, donors, and partners. But one person emerged as the quiet heartbeat of the effort — whose leadership and unshakable spirit carried the mission through storms and even the isolation of the pandemic: Patricia (Pat) Weygandt.

Her years of service are measured not in hours but in acts of love. When our board considered how to honor transformative service, it was clear the first award should bear her name — and that she should be its inaugural recipient. At Harbor of Hope, our board president emeritus Lin Krell and I had the honor of presenting Pat with the very first Patricia Weygandt Service Award. The room rose to its feet — not just for Pat, but for what her example represents: the power of one person’s steady faithfulness to inspire many.

This award is about more than one person. It honors the spirit of Kitsap — the belief that together, we can lift our neighbors up and build a stronger, more compassionate community. My hope is that this tradition inspires future generations of volunteers and leaders. Service doesn’t require a spotlight — it requires heart. It requires showing up. It requires doing small things with great love.

To Pat, thank you for being a hero in our midst. To our volunteers and supporters, thank you for walking with us. To Kitsap County, thank you for believing in the work of St. Vincent de Paul Bremerton.

May we continue to stand together, serve together, and bring hope to those who need it most.