A small host of volunteers were honored by Island County elected officials last week for their critical contributions at the Treasurer’s Office this fall.

Island County Commissioner Helen Price Johnson presented each of the eight volunteers with certificates of appreciation during a special brunch thrown in their honor this past Thursday.

“The whole county is benefiting from what you’re doing so thank you,” Price Johnson said.

Since 2011, low staffing levels have compelled the Treasurer’s Office to seek assistance from the public three times to help out during tax season, according to Treasurer Ana Maria Nuñez.

Each time, good Samaritans stepped forward to help with the time consuming task of sorting envelopes and statements from property owners. This past fall, they put in about 190 hours of work.

“Without them… ,” Nuñez said. “They’re critical.”

The office would have had a much harder, if not impossible, time meeting all its state-required deadlines and objectives without their help, she said.

Coupeville residents Bob and Beulah Whitlow, who attended Thursday’s party, volunteered all three times.

While the work did give them a sense of satisfaction of giving back to the community, it wasn’t the only reason they volunteered.

“They are all really nice people to work with and so appreciative,” Beulah Whitlow said. “It was easy to come back.”

Nuñez, who called the volunteers “amazing,” expressed similar feelings about the group of citizens.

Not only have they continually helped the office out of an ongoing crunch, said Nuñez, they’ve also given staffers something much more valuable — their friendship.

“This was our way to say thank you,” she said.