Bonding with their mothers and connecting with others while making their mark in the philanthropy realm is what attracts girls to the National Charity League, Inc. (NCL).

The Mercer Island Lake Washington Chapter recently honored three of its own — Annabelle Gersch (Senior Service Award), Marissa Magnussen (Merci Award) and Austin Whelan (Modelette Award) — with the top service accolades for members in grades 7-12 for the past year.

Overall, 33 Lake Washington members received awards for outstanding achievements in philanthropic service for NCL, a national nonprofit organization that was established in 1925 and incorporated in 1958.

Gersch

Gersch, who is headed to Bowdoin College in Maine in the fall, earned her award as the graduating senior who completed the most service hours (304.5) during her six years with NCL. She was especially drawn to Angeline’s Day Center, a YWCA day shelter serving homeless women in Seattle.

“I really love the organization and the people there and the needs they’re meeting. I’m really into female empowerment. I really like the cause of helping women — and helping everyone — but helping women who are also not just having the issue of homelessness,” said Gersch, who felt a connection with Angeline’s because the staff members put their heart into their work.

The 2021 Mercer Island High School (MIHS) graduate said that she was so passionate about bonding with women at Angeline’s that she didn’t realize how many hours she logged.

“It was something that I know I really enjoyed doing and looked forward to helping other people,” said Gersch, who noted that making people smile provided motivation to further her efforts.

Gersch will play lacrosse at Bowdoin, and said she’ll look for places to volunteer and make a difference in her new community.

Magnussen

When COVID-19 hit, Magnussen initially felt helpless not being able to continue her philanthropy in person like she had been used to since joining NCL in the seventh grade.

NCL pointed the MIHS junior toward Operation Gratitude and Northwest Harvest and explained the need for supportive and encouraging letters for first responders, healthcare workers and families receiving food packages. Working from home, she felt joy and pride while penning a couple hundred letters to brighten people’s days.

“I think every note I wrote, it was like, ‘This is a note going to someone who’s going to read this and be really appreciative,’ or it’s just going to make their day,” said Magnussen, adding that she received a thank-you note in return from Operation Gratitude.

For her service over the last year, Magnussen received her award for completing the most hours (140) amongst the Lake Washington members. The MIHS senior-to-be, who is involved in cheer, National Honor Society and businesses clubs, likes seeing the progress she’s made with NCL over the years.

“Stepping back and looking at it at the end I think is really rewarding because you get to see, ‘Wow, this is the difference that I made.’ That to me is the best part,” she said.

Whelan

In her leadership role as president of her grade level at NCL, Whelan was diligent in keeping the Lake Washington members united during the last year, according to her class advisers. With that vital quality on her side during the pandemic, Whelan earned her award for best modeling the NCL mission of being committed to philanthropy, culture and leadership.

“It feels really cool because I know that my peers are thinking about me and think about me as a leader,” said Whelan, a senior-to-be at MIHS who feels she’s become more outgoing and confident since joining NCL as a seventh-grader.

She enjoys volunteering and working with homeless people at Seattle-based Mary’s Place, which provides safe and inclusive shelter and services for women, children and families.

“I really missed in-person, like interacting with homeless people and serving meals,” said Whelan, who also helps out Food Lifeline. “Over quarantine, we did a lot of collecting food from grocery stores and birthday presents and stuff like that for kids and made blankets.”

Whelan is excited to continue her NCL journey this school year along with competing for her high school and club swim teams.