American Legion presents Life Changer award to Brad and Kim Lancaster

Larry Fischer, chair of the selection committee, presenting
the life changer award to Kim and Brad Lancaster.
Photo by Jerry Pickard

On Tuesday evening, September 6, 2016 at the Post 227 building in Shoreline, Kim and Brad Lancaster were awarded the American Legion Post 227 life changer award.

The award was given for the generous help the couple gave to homeless people.

In the fall of 2015, a group of homeless people, including families with children, had lost their campground in Shoreline and had no place to go.

Shoreline residents Kim and Brad offered their back yard as a campground and also offered access to their bathroom and laundry. The homeless people camped in the Lancaster back yard for four months until they were able to find other places to live.

Photo by Jerry Pickard

As winners of the life changer award, Kim and Brad received a framed certificate signed by Richard White, the Post 227 commander. They also received a $200 gift certificate to dine at the Sky City Restaurant atop the Seattle Space Needle. The Lancasters were nominated for the award by Shoreline residents Linda Stein and Bettelinn Brown.

This was the fifth time Post 227 gave their life changer award. In 2012, Lea Coats won the award for her sustained wise counsel that helped a troubled young family with children to stay together (see article). In 2013, Bill Briggs Sr., won the award for enabling several thousand children with physical disabilities to attend free, week-long summer camps (see article).

In 2014, Barbara Williams won the award for her continuing service as the volunteer director of a Kiwanis free, week-long summer camp for children with physical disabilities (see article). In 2015, Virginia Harvey won the award for her many years of volunteer service at Veterans Hospital (see article).

Post 227 intends to continue offering the life changer award annually. Each spring, details on how to nominate candidates for the award will be published in an article in the Shoreline Area News. Please watch for that article if you have a nominee in mind.

--Carroll Goering, Asst. Adjutant, Post 227