Tag: #throwbackthursday

Throwback Thursday

amymcforduvall

Throwback Thursday: Kitten Yoga Edition

One of my favorite fostering memories was bringing our foster kittens (a litter of 5!) to kitten yoga! Watching people light up while the kittens played reminded me that fostering isn’t just about caring for animals—it’s about creating moments of connection, building community, and sharing the work of organizations that make a difference.

That’s the same spirit I bring to my campaign: leadership that’s about more than policies on paper—it’s about engaging with people, lifting up the good work happening around us, and finding ways to bring joy and connection into our community.

Whether it’s fostering kittens or shaping policy, I believe Duvall thrives when we work together, support one another, and make space for both care and community.

Have you ever tried kitten yoga—or another activity that brought people together in an unexpected way?

Throwback Thursday

amymcforduvall

Throwback Thursday to so many great memories volunteering in our schools!

Whether it was pasting poems into poetry books for kindergartners, reading one-on-one with students in the hallways, helping at the student store, or supporting special events like Field Day—I’ve always loved being involved in our children’s schools.

Those small moments—seeing a student light up while reading, helping a class celebrate their creativity, or simply being an extra set of hands on a busy day—remind me how important it is for our community to show up for kids and educators.

It’s one of the ways I’ve tried to give back, and it’s also what keeps me hopeful for the future of Duvall—because when we invest in our children, we’re investing in the heart of our community. 💙

Throwback Thursday

amymcforduvall

Throwback Thursday to November 2021

Back in the thick of the pandemic—when every week seemed to bring new challenges—I wanted to find a way to remind the incredible people who keep Duvall running that they weren’t alone. So I reached out to our community and asked you to share words of encouragement for our City Hall staff, Public Works crew, and Police Department. And wow, you all showed up in such a big way.

With your words, I was able to fill three big signs—front and back!—handwriting heartfelt notes, kind words, and messages of gratitude for each building. I delivered them in person, hoping they would brighten a difficult season and let our public servants know how deeply they are appreciated.

It might have been a small gesture, but it carried a powerful message: that Duvall is at its strongest when we lift each other up, when we pause to say “thank you,” and when we remember that behind every service, there are real people showing up for our community every single day.

That’s the spirit I’ll always carry forward—because the heart of Duvall has always been its people. 💙

Throwback Thursday

amymcforduvall

Throwback Thursday to Washington, D.C. and the National League of Cities Congressional City Conference!

One of the most important parts of serving in city leadership is making sure Duvall’s voice is heard on the national stage. During this last trip, we advocated for keeping municipal bonds tax-exempt. Why? Because if they lose that status, it could mean higher borrowing costs for cities like ours, fewer resources for infrastructure, and even higher local taxes on residents—essentially taxing families twice.

We also supported the City of Carnation’s message about the importance of safety in warning systems and monitoring of the Tolt Dam, as well as the critical need for improvements like the roundabout on SR-203 near Carnation. In addition to these shared priorities, we always make it a point to inform our legislators of Duvall’s needs—both current and future—so they understand the challenges and opportunities ahead for our community.

Over the years, the specific advocacy priorities may shift—from infrastructure to public safety to financial policy—but the core always stays the same: working for the people of Duvall and advancing the best interests of our community.

Being in D.C. is always a powerful reminder that local voices matter, and that small cities like ours play a big role in shaping the future.

Throwback Thursday

amymcforduvall

Throwback Thursday to Advocacy Hill Day in Olympia!

In addition to city advocacy, I’ve also been a strong advocate for our local PTSAs at the state capitol. As you can tell by the age of my kids in this photo, this was quite a few years ago—now they’re both taller than me!

Our school district spans two legislative districts, the 45th and the 12th, which has given me the privilege of working with senators and representatives who may hold different viewpoints, but share the same passion and care for the people they serve.

From transportation to special education to Materials, Supplies, and Operating Costs (MSOC), this last session was an intense one. I’ve always valued bringing updates back to our local PTSAs and serving as a voice for our students and families. And sometimes, that meant advocating twice—once with my “city hat” on and again with my “PTSA hat” on.

Advocacy—whether for schools or cities—has always been about the same thing for me: making sure our community is heard in the places where decisions are made.