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VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT:
TYLER MASSEY

The Awesome 3000 is more than a timed youth run and fundraiser; it's a community rite of passage for Salem-Keizer students and their families.  So when asked, it wasn’t difficult for Tyler to explain what it is about the community-wide run he enjoys the most.  “It’s the kids, especially the little ones.”

Tyler, a Salem native was recruited by Salem-Keizer Education Foundation Board member Velda Schooler, to be a part of the Awesome Organizing Committee.  Massey jumped right in to coordinate one of the most important functions of the event, keeping kids safe and reuniting them with their loved ones after they come off the course.  As coordinator of the “Pick UP Corral” the last two years, Tyler knows the importance of his role.  He also gets to see each and every celebration as runners show off their new medallions to their families.

“It wasn’t what I necessarily chose the first year, but I enjoyed it so much, I agreed to do the “corral” again this year.”  Massey confessed.  “It is rewarding being part of something so successful and I look forward to the challenge of making it better each year.”

Tyler has been married to his wife, Linda, for almost 18 years and with three children, David, 15, Austin,11, and Breanna,7, they have remained very involved with this event.  With his kids having ran in the Awesome for the last 9 to 10 years, “it has become part of our family tradition” Massey says.

In addition to all the wonderful things Tyler does at the Awesome 3000, he continuously comes up with new ideas to improve the event and make everyone’s experience for families even more memorable.  Tyler is always the first to say, "What do you need?  How can I help?  Hey, I can do that.”  Tyler works as an ambassador of SKEF and the Awesome 3000 every time he picks up banners from sponsors, delivers registration materials to schools, or recruits another volunteer to join the team. 

Beyond his involvement with SKEF and the Awesome 3000, Tyler is a team member for a variety of other coordinating committees in the Salem-Keizer area. 

The Mid-Willamette Employers Council, where they are currently organizing their 3rd annual job fair.  The proceeds of which, go to scholarships for high school students to participate in extracurricular activities. 

An active member of the SEDCOR Gala planning committee. 
The Exchange Club. Helping plan events such as:

• Healing Field at the River Front Park.  Now known as the Patriot Day Memorial,    this event is coming again in 2011 in partnership with the Salem-Keizer Education Foundation. 
• The Ace Awards; recognizing graduating seniors for overcoming various forms of adversity. 
• The former “Police Officer of the Year Award.”  Now known as the Public Service Safety Award since this area of recognition has expanded to include 911 call centers, Corrections and Prosecutors.
• Blue and Gold Banquet, which is a luncheon to honor fallen officers lost in the line of duty.
• The Foster Family Picnic, where foster parents get together to form a network of their peers in hopes of preventing burnout.
• Taking kids from the S.O.S shelter to the pumpkin patch and various other outings.

Join us in celebrating and thanking Tyler for his dedication to kids, families and our community.