Federal Way names volunteer financial‑literacy program for late volunteer Bob Towne

The Federal Way City Council on May 20 issued a proclamation recognizing volunteer Bob Towne and renaming the city’s volunteer financial‑literacy effort the "Bob Towne Financial Literacy Program." The ceremony included remarks by council members, family members and nonprofit partners and closed with a photo opportunity at the dais.

Councilmember Jack Dobry introduced the proclamation and traced the program’s origin to volunteer work by Towne and local partners. "We had volunteers come forward and we started doing a trial class," Dobry said while explaining how the program grew from volunteer leadership into a free multi‑week class sequence. The city counted about 75 graduates and roughly 220 participants overall since the pilot began, according to remarks at the meeting.

Sherry Towne, Bob Towne’s wife, accepted the proclamation on behalf of the family and told the council about her husband’s volunteerism and faith background. Jacqueline Garcia Castillo, executive director of Mujer del Valente (a local immigrant‑led nonprofit), spoke for partner organizations that helped present classes and said the program "strengthens families and contributes to the economic development of the entire community." Multiple volunteers and partner organizations were recognized on the dais.

Council members said the city will continue to support the volunteer‑led program; organizers said it will remain free and operated by volunteers with city partnership. The proclamation notes participation by the Washington State Employees Credit Union and other partners in earlier classes. The council invited volunteers and family members forward for photographs after the proclamation reading.

The recognition is ceremonial and does not by itself create a new city program or budget line; volunteers and partner nonprofits continue to run the classes and city staff said the city will provide ongoing support for outreach and publicity.