King County Council member Pete Von Reichbauer awarded Peggy LaPorte the Martin Luther King Medal of Distinguished Service for her work helping homeless women and children in the city of Federal Way.

Sitting at her kitchen table, she came up with the idea to create Friends United to Shelter the Indigent, Oppressed, and Needy (FUSION), an all-volunteer non-profit that helps families with children get into permanent housing.

“After 25 years of helping some of the most vulnerable in our community, I am pleased to honor Peggy with the MLK Medal of Distinguished Service,” said von Reichbauer. “Peggy has been steadfast in her commitment to homeless families in Federal Way and her positive impact on their lives cannot be understated.”

LaPorte said she is proud that 85 percent of families FUSION has helped have become stable, self-sufficient and have moved into permanent housing.

This award is given to those in King County going above and beyond for community service.

Other trailblazing award winners include 11-year old Sarah Haycox who worked to honor the life and legacy of Edwin T. Pratt, Rev. James McEachran who, before retiring as a pastor in Bellevue, helped create Imagine Housing, the eastside’s leading affordable housing organization, and Eddie Rye, Jr. who helped rename Seattle’s Empire Way to Martin Luther King, Jr. Way.

The full list of award winners are as follows: Sarah Haycox recognized by Council Chair Rod Dembowski. Eddie Rye, Jr. recognized by Councilmember Larry Gossett. Amy Biggs recognized by Coucnilmember Kathy Lambert. Cindy Domingo, recognized by Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles. Amina Ahmed recognized by Councilmember Dave Upthegrove. Rev. James McEachran recognized by Council Vice Chair Claudia Balducci. Peggy LaPorte rocognized by Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer. Renee Hopkins recognized by Councilmember Joe McDermott. Christine Williams, recognized by Council Vice Chair Reagan Dunn.