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How you can get Amazon.com to donate to Tape Ministries NW

Paul and Carol Williams go over plans as part of their volunteer work for Seattle's Tape Ministries NW.

How does a Boeing engineer from Des Moines use his skills after retirement? In the case of Paul Williams, he volunteers to manage technology systems for a nonprofit library that provides books on tape for the blind.

Since 1999, Paul and his wife, Carol, have been volunteers at Tape Ministries NW in SeaTac, Washington, transforming the library by developing barcodes, automating catalog production, and implementing other new technology that has more than doubled the organization's capacity to serve library patrons.

Last year, Paul volunteered 652 hours, enabling the library to send out more than 11,000 books on tape to visually impaired individuals all across the USA and Canada.

In recognition of his serve, BECU, Washington's largest credit union, has awarded Paul Williams its Member Volunteer of the Year Award for 2004.

The award embodies the credit union philosophy of "people helping people" by recognizing a member who has selflessly given time, effort, and talent to the betterment of the community through work with a charitable organization.

"Tape Ministries NW can offer free services to the blind because of 45 committed volunteers who give their time to read books, duplicate tapes, and check books in and out of the library," says Barbara Parsloe, director of Tape Ministries NW.

"But even in an organization which is dependent on volunteers, Paul and Carol's dedication and contributions stand out."

Paul and Carol are modest about their contributions. Carol says, "Its such a joy to serve with this organization. We feel we receive as much as we give."

Paul describes himself as a "behind the scenes guy."

"Paul and Carol have done so much for us that we can't name it all, " says Parsloe. "Paul has helped us replace outdated manual systems with systems that save resources and produce better results. He is helping us transition to new digital recording technology."