Tri-Citian of the Year couldn't dodge the limelight any longer

When it comes to quietly stepping up, this year’s recipient of the Tri-Citian of the Year award has made it a habit.

Don Pratt of Kennewick is the type of person who sees a need and takes care of it.

Whether it is taking meals to the elderly on a route nobody else wants to drive, installing playground equipment for kids or building a wheelchair ramp for someone’s home, Pratt just does it.

And he does it without expecting any recognition for himself.

He couldn’t escape the limelight Thursday evening, however, when his name was announced as the 2018 recipient of our community’s highest volunteer honor.

It was an especially exciting evening because guest speaker for the event was so high-profile – U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis, a Richland native who has not forgotten his Tri-City roots. His presence made the night even more unforgettable for those in attendance.

Rotary International and Kiwanis International jointly presented the annual Tri-Citian of the Year award, which goes to someone who exemplifies “service before self.”

Twenty-five family members waited behind the scenes at the Three Rivers Convention Center so Pratt wouldn’t be tipped off that he was this year’s honoree.

When his name was announced before the sold-out crowd of nearly 900, he couldn’t avoid receiving the thanks and praise he’s tried to dodge in the past.

Pratt, 65, graduated from Kennewick High School in 1971 and runs Don Pratt Construction, a well-respected commercial and residential building company.

With his construction background, Pratt has helped with many community projects that would never have been happened had he not volunteered his time and expertise.

The list is extensive, but as an example, he led a group back in 2005 to fix up and install a new HVAC system at the Senior Center in Burbank. He also headed up a project at the old elementary school in Finley, converting parts of it into community meeting rooms.

He carried the construction costs for the Meals on Wheels community kitchen and has been heavily involved in the Habitat for Humanity home-building program.

Pratt takes charge of setting up and taking down the viewing area for special needs fans at the Tri-City Water Follies boat races. He has built or remodeled structures for the Boys & Girls Club of Benton and Franklin Counties, helped build the entryway at Grange Park in Kennewick, and was involved in the construction of Safe Harbor Crisis Nursery.

We could go on and on. The list of structures around the Mid-Columbia with the Pratt touch is extensive.

In addition to the construction help, Pratt has been a Boy Scout leader and currently serves on the board of the Blue Mountain Council, actively helps with Sunshine Rotary program and has helped raise thousands of dollars for the group.

He also is an active member and leader of his church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and has organized many of its service projects.

Linda Moran of Kennewick nominated Pratt for the distinguished award, and noted that she is “ashamed’ she had not nominated him long ago.

“Don has helped more people and organizations than we will ever know about,” Moran wrote on her nomination form. “He helps whenever and wherever he can, often anonymously, simply because he is able and wants to help. He doesn’t seek recognition, but he undoubtedly deserves it.”

Yes – he certainly does.

This story was originally published May 6, 2018 at 5:07 AM with the headline "Tri-Citian of the Year couldn't dodge the limelight any longer."