Bee the Change: A Joyful Night of Celebration at City with Dwellings
This special evening reminded us that communities grow stronger when people show up consistently, compassionately, and with a sense of shared responsibility.
On Wednesday, November 12, our hive gathered at The HUB for our first-ever Bee the Change: Volunteer Celebration, and what a night it was! More than 50 volunteers, supporters, staff, board members, and new friends came together for an evening filled with connection, gratitude, and a deep sense of shared purpose.
The room was buzzing in every sense: bee-shaped hors d’oeuvres, honey-drizzled treats, and soulful music from Carlos Tolbert, CwD’s Director of Living Well Initiatives (and resident sax virtuoso), set the tone for a joyful gathering.
CwD Board Vice-Chair Scott Seawell opened the evening with a warm welcome before we shared a short video featuring voices from across the CwD community. (We’ll add the link here!) It was the perfect reminder of why we do this work and the many hands and hearts that make it possible.
Buzzing Bright Award: Honoring Emerging Leadership
Recipient: Kristen Machado
Presented by Lea Thullbery
Our first award of the evening was the Buzzing Bright Award, which celebrates rising leaders whose energy, steadiness, and commitment light the way for others.
Kristen Machado has been part of our story for many years. A longtime volunteer at the Our Lady of Salem Women’s Shelter at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, Kristen has logged countless hours ensuring that women in crisis have a safe, stable, and caring place to land. When CwD transitioned away from shelter operations, she didn’t let the mission fade. She helped St. Tim’s shelter become its own nonprofit, preserving this vital ministry for the women of our community.
Kristen also serves on the CwD board, and has recruited her whole family to be part of the work. Her quiet determination, compassion, and faithfulness made her the perfect recipient of this year’s Buzzing Bright Award.
King Bee Award: Honoring Long-Term, Faithful Service
Recipient: Nat Watson
Accepted by Carlos Tolbert
Next, Carlos shared remarks about our beloved King Bee, Nat Watson, who has been with CwD from the very beginning. Nat and his late wife were among the first to serve at the overflow shelter in 2012, bringing warmth, dignity, and hospitality even in the smallest details, like preparing warm washcloths for our guests.
Even after a lifetime of service, Nat still volunteers during open hours at The HUB, offering coffee, presence, and quiet encouragement to our neighbors. Though he wasn’t able to attend, Carlos accepted the award on his behalf, honoring Nat’s steady, compassionate legacy.
The King Bee Award is given to those who embody consistent, transformative service, and Nat is exactly that.
Golden Honeycomb Award: Honoring Transformational Partnership
Recipient: First Presbyterian Church
Presented by Ruth Cole Burcaw
The Golden Honeycomb Award recognizes a group whose collaboration, compassion, and partnership have truly strengthened the fabric of our mission. This year’s honoree, First Presbyterian Church, has been part of CwD since before we even had a name.
In 2012, when the overflow shelter was still an idea, First Pres opened their building and created a safe, sacred space for neighbors who had nowhere else to stay. They’ve stayed the course ever since, offering volunteers, meals, significant financial support, prayers, handwritten notes, and countless hours of behind-the-scenes care.
They’ve also shared their people: Scott Seawell, a longtime leader and board member, and Danielle Lamphier, who helped us secure life-saving partnerships like the Atrium Wellness Clinic.
Their trust-based philanthropy looks like support rooted in relationship, conversation, and shared mission rather than paperwork. We were honored to present First Pres with the Golden Honeycomb Award for helping our hive thrive.
Surprise Recognition: Our Very Own Queen Bee
Honoree: Scott Seawell
Finally, we ended the evening with a surprise recognition for Scott Seawell, whose leadership, encouragement, and wisdom have guided City with Dwellings for more than a decade.
Scott began as a shelter volunteer, later joined the board, and served as board chair during a pivotal transition. When CwD was between directors, she kept the organization steady. When Ruth joined in 2021, Scott became her mentor, meeting weekly, joining calls with city staff, translating jargon, helping navigate politics, and guiding personnel challenges with grace.
She led two successful fundraisers in 2024, continues to be one of our most effective ambassadors, and has agreed to serve as co-chair of the board in 2026.
She embodies the spirit of the hive: wise, steady, compassionate, and faithful. We honored her with a small bee necklace as a reminder of just how essential she is to our community.
Wednesday evening reminded us that communities grow stronger when people show up consistently, compassionately, and with a sense of shared responsibility.
Every volunteer, every congregation, every donor, every encourager plays a role in building a community where people can move from trauma and homelessness to healing and housing stability.
Our hive is strong because of all of you.
Thank you for celebrating with us.
Thank you for believing in this mission.
And thank you for continuing to Bee the Change.
