City council member receives this year's Scoop Thurman Award

When Sherrie Douglass gave birth to her daughter Leisha almost 22 years ago, she had to go right back to work. It was her husband Kim who came up with a childcare solution: He would take the baby with him to work. Which is what he did for the next 12 months.Kim was honored this week at Colfax Chamber of Commerce's Annual Luncheon, where he received the Scoop Thurman Community Service Award, given to someone who selflessly gives back to the community. The award's namesake, Scoop, was the editor and publisher at the Colfax Record for 35 years. The Auburn Journal has since taken the reins of the award."Kim's involved in just about everything you can think of," said his wife Sherrie. "He wants Colfax to thrive."Sherrie's not exaggerating; Kim does seem to be involved in everything. He's on the board at the Sierra Vista Community Center and SACOG, the Sacramento Area Council of Governments. He volunteers for the Colfax Art Walk, 3rd of July Parade, Project Go, and Acres of Hope. Douglass is an elder at his church, where he sings in the choir and videotapes all events. And of course, he's a member of the city council, now serving his second term.Sherries says his volunteering started not long after they moved to the city, 22 years ago. "It all started when Leisha was a little girl," said Sherrie. "He coached her softball team, and then when she started playing in high school, he videotaped all the games. That's pretty dedicated."One of the biggest benefits to Colfax was Douglass' work on establishing the "quiet zone," which prevents trains from automatically blowing their horns when they comes through the city. "When the trains comes through, they honk their horn, and it's really upsetting to people who live close to the train. He was able to get that changed," she said.Douglass was born and raised in Harrisburg, Pa., but moved to California in the 1970s. "It was the Rosebowl Parade that brought him out west," Sherrie said. "He would watch that parade every year, and see this beautiful sunshine. He always wanted to move to California."Douglass owned Proteus Computers for about 20 years, where he sold, fixed, and taught about computers. When he closed the store, he turned to volunteering full time. One of his pet projects is to distribute mandarins and grapefruits to people and organizations around Colfax."I think that's pretty rare," Sherrie said. "How many people do you know that want to do that?"When asked why her husband takes the time to do all of the work he does, her answer is simple: "He has a big heart," she said. "He wants to make this world a better place, you know, one city at a time."