Meet James Reddick, aiding our parks, theater and community

Kathleen Anderson

Are you thinking about retirement? Or perhaps, recently retired but already suffering from boredom?

Meet James Reddick – current president and incoming District 19N Zone Chair of the Olympia Host Lions Club, co-founder of the PARC Foundation of Thurston County, and board member for the Harlequin Theater.

James is not bored – but he is the perfect example of the old saying “if you want something done, ask a busy person.”

A resident of Olympia since 1988, James retired from the state after over thirty years in the DSHS Childrens’ welfare programs. He is a walking Wikipedia of who does what, who to talk to about what and how to get things done.

One of his passions is our parks and open land possibilities. Toward that end, he co-founded the PARC Foundation.

A trail at Squaxin Park, (formerly known as Priest Point Park.) in Olympia, Washington.

The PARC Foundation of Thurston County:

The PARC Foundation of Thurston County is dedicated to preserving the vital green spaces of our natural surroundings, expanding, and supporting works of art and artists in our community, ensuring all citizens have access to recreational opportunities and the opportunity to celebrate our local culture.

In keeping with James’ belief in networking, the PARC Foundation works in partnership with local Parks and Recreation jurisdictions, seeks to create and sustain engaging and educational activities and events for kids, families, and seniors. 

To make this happen, PARC has partnered with local, county, state, and civic organizations, business leaders, philanthropists, educators, and individual contributors.

Over the last 15 years, PARC Foundation has donated over $700,000 to worthy programs and projects. Last year, for example, it was instrumental in providing $10,000 to the City of Olympia for trail development in Squaxin Park, (formerly known as Priest Point Park.) For more information, click on the link below:

About Us - PARC Foundation of Thurston County

But he did not stop there. He also serves on the board for the Harlequin Theater Productions.

Harlequin Theater Productions:

Harlequin Theater Productions began with a group of five people—James L. This, Scot Whitney, Linda Whitney, Phil Annis, and Ronna Smith—who got together in 1991 and decided that they wanted to produce a more challenging style of theater than was available locally.

With a grand total of $400.00, they began pursuing their dream and began producing individual shows at the Washington Center Stage II, a “black box” venue that seated about 100.

Fast forward to the 2023 season and they are now located in the heart of downtown and can now boast of twenty-seven seasons, over 160 productions, and over 500 artists.

Their board is currently in the process of fundraising for improvements inside.  Harlequin is also a non-profit organization and as James says, “as always, in the non-profit sector we need more money, sponsors and more volunteers.”

Performance Options:

Harlequin also offers some interesting options for their performances, such as PAY $1 OR $100. Pay What You Choose. ‘The Pay What You Choose’ option is offered multiple times during each mainstage production.

And for fellow non-profit organizations, they offer free seats for their dress rehearsals, giving a free show to these guests and providing an audience for the actors to play to – a win-win for all involved.

For more information, click here.

Last but not least…

James is also the outgoing president of the Olympia Host Lions Club and the incoming 19 N Lions Zone Chair.  In addition to recruiting several new members for the club, he also instituted its recycling program. Following his belief in partnerships, and his efforts, this program now combines the collaboration of Trex, Thurston County Food Bank, Safeway, fellow Olympia, Tumwater and Lacey Lions Clubs and other community members for the collection of recyclable plastic, which ultimately becomes park benches donated to various locations in our communities.

He is very involved with the development and ongoing services provided by the free Corbin Low Vision Resource Center operated by the Olympia Host Lions Club.

This program provides on-loan visual aids and technical training to our low-vision and blind community. For more information on how to make an appointment at the Corbin Low Vision Resource Center, click here.

Kathleen Anderson writes this column each week from her home in Olympia.  Contact her at  kathleen@theJOLTnews.com or post your comment below.  

CORRECTION, June 15, 2023:  Mr. Reddick's name was misspelled in the original version of this story. We regret the error.