Tami Jones, Kelly Laursen and Kira Avery were named the winners of the Valley’s third Employee of the Quarter contest on Sept. 21 during an event at North Fork Farms.

The contest, held by nonprofit and networking group Keep It Local SnoValley, is an effort to recognize outstanding employees across the Valley for their contributions. Managers, supervisors and business owners nominate their employees each quarter, with Keep It Local selecting a group of three winners.

As part of the honor, Jones, Laursen and Avery each took home a $250 check.

Keep it Local is a nonprofit and networking group that encourages connections between different industries and investment into local businesses.

The Employee of the Quarter contest is one way the group engages with the community. It also offers a scholarship for high seniors and investments in local nonprofits.

Jones is the executive director at CarePoint Clinic in Fall City, which is part of the Snoqualmie Valley Alliance Church, and provides free primary healthcare to those in the Snoqualmie Valley. She was nominated by Baly Botten, lead pastor at SVAC, who praised her determination to obtain grant funding and eliminate barriers for their patients.

“She does an amazing job at CarePoint Clinic and has grown the clinic in amazing ways,” Botten said.

Laursen is a credit manager for Motion Water Sports on Snoqualmie Ridge, which is the parent company for O’Brien Water Sports Liquid Force and Arbor Snowboards. She was nominated by Amber Massee, who said Laursen balances a large workload between the company’s many teams and is instrumental in leading the company’s annual donations.

“She was born and raised in the Valley. She has four kids. She’s here and she’s an incredible employee,” Massee said. “All of the general managers we work with appreciate her and I get compliments constantly on behalf of her.”

Avery is assistant director at the Sno Valley Senior Center in Carnation, and is responsible for managing the center’s activities and fundraising efforts. She was nominated by Angella Hartung.

“She’s absolutely wonderful,” said Stacy Dorn, a member of Keep It Local, who spoke on Hartung’s behalf. “If you know anything about how senior centers work, it is definitely a planning and logistical challenge, just making sure all of those people have what they need. She is a big part of that.”