Char Ashcraft is described as a woman of many hats.

Instead of stepping back and taking in the fruits of a successful and rewarding life, at 82 years old, Ashcraft is kicking life into high gear.

Ashcraft, among other duties, puts in a 50-60-hour work week at the Federal Way Senior Center, in addition to helping produce the local National Alliance on Mental Illness Walk, taking charge of the senior center’s “thrift store,” and crafting a 12-page newsletter for the center.

As a result of her work with the senior center and the local community, numerous members of the center wanted to surprise Ashcraft with the media recognition of her work. She was kept from reporters interested in her dedication to preserve that surprise.

Ashcraft’s involvement with the senior center began with providing a simple exercise course. At the time, Ashcraft was involved in an exercise course at another facility, but after it disbanded, she needed a new place to help stay in shape. That’s when she discovered the senior center, where she’s remained ever since.

“Char wears many hats at the senior center,” center Executive Director Shelley Puariea said. “All of the people who run it are impressed with her organizational abilities and would like to see her honored as volunteer of the month.”

Organization is in Ashcraft’s DNA. Before becoming a member of the Federal Way Senior Center family, she worked as a social worker for the Department of Social and Health services for over 20 years.

But Ashcraft’s service throughout the community began through tragedy.

She lost her brother-in-law, John, to suicide 15 years ago. But instead of allowing an unforgettable tragedy to pull her down, Ashcraft stood tall and reached for a helping hat.

“She could have easily allowed that to consume her in a negative way and I don’t think anyone would have blamed her,” said Ashcraft’s partner Catherine North. “But that’s not who Char is. She’s a person who will immediately put others before herself. And that’s what she did when John died.”

Ashcraft joined the Auburn Survivors of Suicide, a support group for those who have lost a loved one to suicide, but she didn’t stop there. She helps the Overnight Out of the Darkness Walk and the Out of the Darkness Community Walk events. Both local organizations work with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

“Char is the most hard-working, dedicated volunteer I have ever had the pleasure of knowing,” senior center member Lynn Slater said. “Most volunteers dedicate a few hours a week to their cause, but not Char. One would think that working at the Federal Way Senior Center was a full-time paid job for Char, as opposed to a volunteer who puts in 40-plus hours a week.. No matter when I’m there, you will always find Char busy as a beaver.”

Ashcraft was attending the exercise class there three days a week, but she felt it wasn’t enough. So she asked what she could do to help.

Initially, she assisted with answering the phone and working at the reception desk. She then moved to working at the Treasure Chest, the center’s thrift store.

“Char is dedicated, conscientious and hard-working,” senior center member Donna San Jose said. “She is kind and caring, and I know she’s always there for me.”

Not long after the senior center’s program director left, it was Ashcraft who stepped forward with her administrative hat. She came in and managed volunteers, planned parties, and continued to manage the Treasure Chest. Through her nature of “others before self,” she sought to see her 70-plus volunteers recognized.

Last year, Ashcraft organized the Volunteer Recognition Lunch in April, which happens to be Volunteer Month.

“She had a special lunch with entertainment, special certificates and gifts for each volunteer,” North said. “It’s important to her that the volunteers are appreciated. No matter what job it is they have.”

Shortly after the program director’s departure, the executive director left too.

Ashcraft had a hat for that.

She brushed up her computer skills by teaching herself to use Quickbooks. She took it upon herself to manage the senior center bills – she even balanced its budget. She made sure repairs were made and made sure the Food Pantry, a food bank open twice a week to distribute food to the needy, stayed operational. From time to time, according to North, Ashcraft will take care of the landscaping, too, regularly going out of her way to pull unwanted weeds.

For Ashcraft, at 82, there’s no such thing as free time. But, as expected, she’s got a hat for that.

“In her ‘spare time’ – at home – she re-instituted the newsletter that used to go out,” North said. “It is now eagerly awaited, and members look forward to it every quarter. The only difference? It’s now grown to a 12-page newsletter instead of eight.

“Why slow down? There’s too many people to help.”

[Note: The print version of this story misspelled Ashcraft’s name and erroneously identified her as a board member of the Overnight Out of the Darkness Walk. This story has been corrected; the Mirror regrets the errors]