In a time when it feels like we’re constantly talking about what divides us, one beautiful Pacific Northwest city is showing the rest of the country how civic engagement can truly bring people together. We at the National Museum and Center for Service (NMCFS) are absolutely thrilled to announce that Edmonds, Washington, is officially the nation’s very first “Community of Service”.
This isn’t just an award—it’s the prototype for the NMCFS’s exciting new Communities of Service initiative. Edmonds is kicking off its local effort, Edmonds Serves, as a key part of the America 250th anniversary celebration and a blueprint for the 250 & Beyond movement. 250 & Beyond offers a nonpartisan, nonpolitical way for communities across the country to celebrate the milestone by uplifting the many forms of service that bind Americans together.
A city-wide commitment to service
To celebrate this amazing milestone, Edmonds Mayor Mike Rosen issued an official mayoral proclamation on June 2, 2026. This proclamation shines a spotlight on the city’s incredible commitment to volunteerism and recognizes the nearly 500 nonprofit organizations that are serving the community every day. As we approach our nation’s 250th anniversary, Edmonds is giving us a powerful, real-life example of how communities can truly honor our country’s founding ideals of service, civic responsibility, and shared purpose.
Turning the city into a living museum of service
Through Edmonds Serves, the city is literally becoming a “living museum of service”. Instead of sticking to traditional annual awards for a few people, Edmonds is choosing to honor its “quiet heroes”—all the ordinary residents who show up every day to help their neighbors. We know that when people perceive their community to be more generous, they are more likely to participate and give back (time, talent, and treasure). This initiative aims to make that generosity visible.
You’ll see locally crafted posters and video exhibits profiling these dedicated volunteers appearing throughout the city: storefront windows, public spaces, schools, libraries, and digital platforms. The best part? Every exhibit features a QR code that instantly connects residents and visitors to local volunteer opportunities, making it easier than ever for new people to join in and get involved.
The amazing momentum of community
The excitement for this initiative really took off earlier this spring, starting with the annual volunteer fair at the Edmonds Waterfront Center on April 11. Over 30 local nonprofit organizations were there, eager to showcase their services and connect with community members ready to lend a hand. At the fair, NMCFS founder Brian Baird shared his inspiring vision for how the city leaders would bring this initiative to life. That amazing grassroots kickoff was quickly followed by a huge gathering of leaders from more than 200 local businesses and nonprofits, learning about and committing to the Edmonds Serves vision.
As Mayor Rosen beautifully put it:
“At a time when so much seems to divide us, Edmonds Serves is a reminder of what still brings us together, the shared values of compassion, service, and a deep sense of community.”
He often calls these dedicated volunteers the “secret sauce” of Edmonds, and it’s clear they truly define the city’s welcoming identity.
Inspiring the nation
Edmonds Serves officially launches on June 6th—just in time for the Pacific Northwest to welcome international visitors for upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026™ – Canada, Mexico and the United States -related events. While most cities might focus on tourist spots, Edmonds is choosing to highlight something distinctly American: our shared commitment to serving one another.
The NMCFS team will be working closely with Edmonds Serves as it continues to evolve over the next year. We are learning so much from this incredible local prototype, and we’re using that knowledge to create a helpful playbook and shared resources on how to make service an intentional, core part of a community’s infrastructure, identity, and culture. We can’t wait to use these tools to partner with more communities across the country, helping make all forms of service to others visible and valued in cities and towns nationwide.
Edmonds Serves in the news
- Edmonds becomes the country’s first ‘Community of Service’, By Jenna Peterson, HeraldNet
- Edmonds first U.S. city to be designated a “Community of Service”, by Kienan Briscoe, Lynwood Times
- Rearview Mirror: Icelandic Art, Airport Views and Trailhead Direct, by Sarah Stackhouse, Seattle Magazine
- Edmonds Serves’ goal: Broader community volunteerism, by Brian Soergel, Edmonds Beacon