From brambles to blueberries: Community Champion Dwight Pauls helps Federal Way bloom

When Washington’s Community Champions contest, sponsored by WSECU, put out the call to honor people “whose everyday actions — through service, care, and connection — help strengthen the fabric of our communities,” one name rose to the top again and again: Dwight Pauls.

Dwight, along with his wife and partner-in-service, Shelley, received a record number of nominations for Washington’s Community Champions. This fall, he was selected as one of four honorees, each of whom received a $1,000 grant in recognition of their impact.

His first reaction to the news? Not surprisingly, it wasn’t about himself.

“Excited and humbled!” Dwight said. “Their enthusiasm is more for the farm than for a person; people love being a part of such a cool project. We have worked with a lot of great volunteers for a lot of years, and we are grateful for their hard work, their friendship, and their vote!”

That “cool project” is the Hylebos Blueberry Farm in Federal Way, a once-neglected patch of land that has become a thriving u-pick community farm, thanks largely to Dwight, Shelley, and the hundreds of volunteers they’ve inspired over the last eight years.

From overgrown to community gem

Years ago, the blueberry farm was privately owned, covering about five acres. Eventually, it became part of a 125-acre property acquired by the City of Federal Way, now a city park with historic cabins and the scenic Hylebos Wetlands trail. But the one acre of blueberry bushes was slowly disappearing under blackberries and neglect.

As coordinators for the local charity “We Love Our City,” Dwight and Shelley were approached by a community member with a big question: could the blueberry farm be restored?

They brought in master gardeners Jim and Donna Cox and met with the Federal Way Parks Department on-site.

“All felt that it was possible and worth the effort,” Dwight said. “We agreed to rally volunteer teams. The Parks Department has been very supportive and appreciative for the work being done.”

What followed was years of patient, backbreaking work: clearing invasive blackberry brambles, pruning and fertilizing, hauling compost and wood chips by tractor, planting new bushes, and slowly bringing the farm back to life. One nominator described the effort as “Sisyphean” — and yet, Dwight and Shelley kept showing up in all weather, week after week.

Over and over, nominators emphasized two themes: Selflessness and perseverance.

“He has spent the last 8 years restoring the Hylebos Blueberry Farm,” one nominator wrote. “It was once covered with blackberries and now [it’s] a thriving u-pick farm due to his many volunteer hours … His favorite part is watching families come and pick beautiful blueberries to enjoy.”

“Dwight and his wife are some of the most selfless, humble, and hard-working people that I know,” another added. “My family loves to walk the Hylebos trail and enjoy the treat of blueberries at the end.”

For Dwight, what kept him going during the toughest phases was simple: Progress and people.

“There has been constant progress, and we love seeing community members come to pick berries!” he said. “We developed an ownership mentality; it was our blueberry farm, and we wanted to see it continue to improve and be something everyone could enjoy. The first year was the hardest, but we survived thanks to so many hard-working volunteers who came back again and again!”

A team effort rooted in service

Dwight is quick to point out that none of this is a solo act. He and Shelley are very much a team.

“Our skill set works well together,” Dwight explained. “Shelley is the organizer, photographer, connector, and snack lady.”

While Dwight grew up on a farm and can build or fix anything, Shelly and many members of his community have pointed out, “He also has some extreme tractor skills!”

Their commitment to service began long before the blueberry farm.

“Our parents were great examples of serving and volunteering in their church and community,” Dwight said. “We learned the joy of collaborating, working with a team, and serving others at a young age.”

About 10 years ago, their pastors at Family Life Church asked them to organize a citywide Serve Day. They invited other churches, friends, and family to help. Five hundred volunteers showed up.

“We completed many projects, including litter pick up, community gardens, parks, schools, nursing homes, care packages to first responders, individual home repairs, etc,” Dwight said. “It went so well, we just kept going!”

That momentum became We Love Our City, a grassroots effort that now supports food drives, backpack and diaper drives, senior center projects, community events, and more — often in partnership with nonprofits, businesses, schools, and the City of Federal Way.

Quiet work, big impact

Many of the nominations for Dwight referenced the work most people never see: Planning, coordinating, and the behind-the-scenes labor that make every project possible.

“There is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes in organizing projects,” Dwight acknowledged. “Volunteerism is so healthy and so needed. We wish everyone could experience it and discover the joy of serving.”

Even as he celebrates what’s been accomplished, Dwight’s focus is on what’s next. The blueberry farm continues to grow — literally. They’ve added raised flower beds, welded garden art, and a pumpkin patch. This year, they donated 105 pumpkins to a local food bank and 35 to a local nursing home.

Looking ahead, they plan to expand flower areas, plant more blueberry bushes, and eventually install irrigation for new plantings. They also host community events, such as a free pruning seminar, and support citywide volunteer days.

What gives Dwight hope is the network of people working alongside him.

“While our address is Auburn, our home is close to the city of Federal Way,” he said. “We are grateful for a wonderful working relationship with the staff from the City of Federal Way, schools, first responders, and so many others. There is a great network of people working to make our city a better place! Our desire is to share some love, joy, and hope by coming alongside those who need just a little extra help!”

It’s that spirit — steady, humble, and hopeful — that Washington’s Community Champions, sponsored by WSECU, was created to honor. And in Dwight Pauls, his nominators, neighbors, and volunteers see exactly what a community champion looks like.

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