Longtime community leader and volunteer Shelley Pauls received the Key to the City from Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell at Tuesday night’s city council meeting.

Pauls was recognized for being the driving force behind the We Love Our City group along with numerous volunteer efforts over the years to improve the Federal Way community.

Pauls is also passionate about helping the homeless. She is involved in the Federal Way Day Center and is a committee member on the city’s Homeless Mothers and Children Initiative, where she acts as a liaison between the committee and the faith-based organizations in the community.

Pauls can often be found behind a camera as well, capturing community events.

“There’s so many great stories and so many wonderful people doing so many things,” she told the Mirror in December 2017 when she was named Citizen of the Month. “We don’t always get the story out. I love taking pictures and getting the story and sharing the story to inspire people.”