Congresswoman Suzan DelBene was joined by Kenmore Mayor David Baker to volunteer at the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store in Kenmore to mark this year’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service.

“This is about strengthening our community,” DelBene said, adding she volunteers at a different place in Washington’s 1st District every year to mark the holiday. “We try our best to participate just like other people are doing.”

“It reminds us of Dr. King and his volunteering to lead,” Baker added, saying he jumped on the opportunity to work alongside the congresswoman. “When she’s in my town, I like to be there.”

On Monday afternoon, after a tour of the store, the duo was tasked with going through the housewares shelves to make everything was in its right place — no stray soap dispenser was mixed in with the candleholders on their watch.

“It’s a sale day; I could always use the help,” Joshua Proctor, store manager, said. “It’s good for everybody (that they’re here to volunteer).”

Volunteers are an important part of the work done at the store, according to Proctor, who said the volunteer work supplements the work of the staff. He said anyone who’s interested in volunteering at the store, which has been in Kenmore for 17 years, should visit svdpseattle.org and click the “Volunteer” tab at the top of the page.

Kenmore Mayor David Baker volunteers at the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store as part of this year’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. CATHERINE KRUMMEY / Kenmore Reporter