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PenMet honors Pat Schmidt for her service to community

Ask Pat Schmidt to do something to make Gig Harbor a better community, and she’ll most likely say yes.

In fact, “yes” is her factory setting.

“I’m an all-in kind of person,” said Schmidt, a 40-year resident of Gig Harbor. “I don’t say no well. I say yes a lot.”

Her can-do attitude caught the attention of the Peninsula Metropolitan Park District, which will recognize her with the Betty Lilienthal Advocacy Award. The parks district’s board will recognize her during a presentation from 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 7, at the PenMet Recreation Center, 2524 14th Ave. NW.

Schmidt, 74, is the third recipient of the award, following Lilienthal herself in 2024 and Olympic Civic Services in 2025.

PenMet created the award two years ago to recognize people and community groups who have been advocates in the community and have significantly impacted the district’s mission and vision.

“Her tireless volunteer service, leadership across multiple civic organizations, and commitment to improving the lives of seniors, veterans, children, and families have left an incredible mark on Gig Harbor,” said William “Billy” Sehmel, PenMet board of directors president. “I’ve always admired that Pat doesn’t simply support our community. She actively brings people together to make it better.”

Gig Harbor resident Pat Schmidt will be recognized by PenMet Parks on July 7 when she is awarded the2026 Betty Lilienthal Advocacy Award. Photo by Suzanne Roig

Helping others

For decades, Schmidt has participated on boards and worked to make Gig Harbor a better place. She helped start the downtown summer farmer’s market. She worked with stakeholders to get the sail-themed welcome sign erected on Pioneer Way near Highway 16. And she was a founding board member of Gig Harbor Now.

For five years, she was runner-up for the Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year award. She founded the Veteran Banner Program, which honors veterans and first responders. And she helps organize the annual Gig Harbor Veterans Day observance.

“We have the largest indoor Veteran’s Day event in Washington,” Schmidt said. “It’s so symbolic and means a lot to the families of the veterans.”

Practically every organization in town has benefited from her laser focus. When the community identified a need for a dedicated space for seniors, Schmidt was a member of the steering committee brainstorming solutions.

“Pat is someone I deeply admire,” said Miriam Battson, Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce CEO/president.  “She is welcoming, inclusive, collaborative, thoughtful, and refreshingly straightforward. She has a remarkable ability to bring people together and think strategically about how to make our community stronger. It is truly a privilege to call her my friend, and I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this honor.”

Community advocate

For Sehmel, the work Schmidt does exemplifies what it means to be a community advocate.

“I know her impact will be felt here and in the surrounding area for a long time,” he said.

As a member of the  board of directors at the Gig Harbor Downtown Waterfront Alliance, Schmidt has served in a variety of capacities, said Clare Dunis, alliance executive director.

“She is the ultimate ‘doer’ — always actively involved and ready to step up — but she balances that energy with incredible insight,” Dunis said. “Pat has a gift for asking the right questions with genuine care, ensuring we see every project through to its fullest potential. Beyond her work, she is our ultimate cheerleader and a constant source of encouragement.

Why volunteer

When Schmidt and her husband moved from Seattle to Gig Harbor in 1985, she ran a small print shop. There she printed announcements, banners and other hallmarks of a small-but-growing community.

That’s when Missy Hill, a PenMet board member, met Schmidt. Whenever an organization needed help with printing, communications or outreach, Schmidt was ready to invest her time in her community.

“The Betty Lilienthal Advocacy Award, which holds special meaning at PentMet Parks, we celebrate not only a person’s accomplishments, but also the spirit in which they serve,” Hill said.

“Pat truly embodies that spirit. She has a remarkable ability to bring people together, inspire them to action  and turn ideas into meaningful results.”

Schmidt maintained that zeal for community even after selling her business in 2020. She realized that she was more than a small business person. She had skills that she could use to help the community that supported her all those years.

“I feel I can contribute something,” Schmidt said. “If I lived in Seattle, I wouldn’t have been able to make a difference, but here in Gig Harbor, well, this is Gig Harbor. I feel our downtown makes Gig Harbor better.”

Her day typically starts at 7 a.m. and often includes at least four meetings on the calendar. People know her. Walk downtown with her on Harborview Drive, and she’ll be stopped by at least two people who want to chat with her.

“I have a skill set,” Schmidt said. “I’m organized. I can put things together and people like working with me. I get things done. It makes me happy.”

Even a recent fall — which required surgery after she broke her femur — didn’t thwart her community efforts.

Always something

That’s exactly how Ally Bujacich, PenMet’s executive director, worded the nomination of Schmidt.

“When a need is identified, Pat gets to work,” Bujacich said. “Pat is present. She gives her time generously as a volunteer.”

She also always has something on the back burner. Once the Fourth of July event is over, she’l turn her attention to the Veteran’s Day event.

She’ll be working on the banners that honor the veterans. Making sure all the elements of the event are in place.

“I always have something,” Schmidt said. “I’ll be engaged for as long as people want me to do things. It’s the responsible thing to do what we can to make our community better.”