When Bob Rise says he'll be there, he follows up. This Marysville Volunteer Patrol member donated the most volunteer hours every month in 2018 to this citizen team that helps the Marysville Police Department by offering extra eyes and ears in the community patrolling parks, school grounds and neighborhoods. 

That's just one reason Mayor Jon Nehring honored Rise as Volunteer of the Month. The award was presented at the Jan. 28 City Council meeting. 

A huge example of how Rise and the Marysville Volunteer Patrol (MVP) team make a difference came from Marysville Parks, Culture and Recreation. In summer 2017, car break-ins occurred at Jennings Park while people attended outdoor movies and concerts there. Parks requested Police assistance the following year, and Rise recruited MVP volunteers to patrol three Jennings Park parking lots during events on 10 Friday and Saturday nights last summer. No break-ins were reported, proving how effective these patrols are at deterring crime. 

Rise also performs many administrative duties for the MVP team, including scheduling and training new volunteers. In addition, he donates his time to the Marysville Community Food Bank, where he assisted its Holiday Toy Store this past season by picking up countless donations from local businesses and being present all week to assist volunteers and families. 

Rise was quick to share the honor with many follow MVP volunteers who were in the audience Monday night. "We're all a team," he said, "and I couldn't do it without you."

Interested in joining the MVP team? Visit https://www.marysvillewa.gov/282/Marysville-Volunteers-Program for more information and an application.