Unsung Hero: Michelle Rhodes

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, April 1, 2026

The fact that Michelle Rhodes is the emergency contact for about 20 kids within the Sequim School District (“I’m going to need a mini bus in case there’s ever an emergency to pick them all up”) could be considered insight into her character and the reason locals voted her Best Volunteer last year in Sound Publishing’s annual “Best of the Olympic Peninsula” readers’ poll.

She puts the well being of others above her own, and if she says she’ll do something, you can bet she will follow through.

That kind of dependability is important in a city like Sequim, home of the Irrigation Festival, Washington’s longest-running continuing festival. Rhodes, who served as a member of its board for eight years, is now in her second year as the festival’s director.

“I started by taking meeting minutes,” she said. “That’s how a lot of this work begins — you just say yes to something small, and then you find yourself more and more invested.”

Over time, that investment grew. Rhodes took on roles coordinating events, managing marketing, and helping guide the festival through one of its most challenging chapters: the COVID-19 pandemic. When the traditional format wasn’t possible, she and her fellow volunteers pivoted — creating virtual parades, take-home activity kits for children, and video programming to keep the spirit of the festival alive and to make sure the legacy endured.

“It taught us how to adapt,” she said of that challenging time. “And it reminded us how important these traditions are to people.”

That sense of importance is something Rhodes returns to often when talking about the reward, challenges — and importance — of volunteerism.

“Volunteering matters because it’s how communities function,” she said. “If we want our kids to have sports, events, festivals — any of the things that make a place feel like home — someone has to step up and make that happen.”

But too often, she noted, that responsibility falls on the same shoulders.

“It’s the same group of people, over and over again, doing the bulk of the work,” Rhodes said. “And while those people are incredibly dedicated, it’s not sustainable long-term.”

She believes one of the biggest misconceptions is that volunteering requires a major commitment or leadership role.

“It doesn’t have to be overwhelming,” she said. “You don’t have to run an event or join a board. You can help set up tables, greet people, park cars — every little bit makes a difference.”

Rhodes herself is no stranger to juggling responsibilities. In addition to directing the Irrigation Festival, she serves on multiple boards, including her children’s school organizations and the United Way’s Community Impact committee. At home, she and her husband, Jason, are raising two children, Emma and Greyson — both of whom have grown up participating in Irrigation Festival activities. This year, Emma, 16, is a festival princess. In 2023, when he was a third-grader at Greywolf Elementary, Greyson was a Junior Royal prince.

“They’ve been part of the festival since they were toddlers,” Rhodes said of her children. “It’s just part of who we are as a family.”

That family support, she adds, is essential.

“I couldn’t do any of this without my husband,” Rhodes said. “From January through May, especially, he really takes on a lot so I can focus on the festival.”

Both raised in Port Angeles, the couple met at Peninsula College. They moved to Sequim in March 2008. Michelle works for Newrez, a mortgage company, and Jason is a nurse.

Despite the demands on her time and energy, Rhodes said there are benefits to volunteerism.

“Some of the closest friendships I’ve ever formed have come from this work,” she said. “These aren’t just people I see at meetings – they’re people I could call in an emergency. That kind of connection is rare, and it’s incredibly meaningful.”

It’s also part of what keeps her motivated, but she noted the need for new volunteers to step up.

“We need more people to get involved,” Rhodes said. “Not just for the sake of the organizations, but for the community as a whole. These groups bring people together. They create a sense of belonging.”

Rhodes feels there are others more deserving of the Best Volunteer title.

“There are so many people who have been doing this work for decades,” she said. “I’m honored, but I don’t think I’m unique. I think I’m just one of many.”

Still, others know she has made an impact and has stood out because of it. In a time when many communities struggle to sustain civic engagement, Rhodes offers this advice:

“If you care about where you live, find a way to give back. It doesn’t have to be big. It just has to be something.”

For more information about the Sequim Irrigation Festival, visit irrigationfestival.com. Interested in volunteering? Email info@irrigationfestival.com and include your contact information, what type of volunteering you are interested in, and any limits on your time or physical abilities.