I met Grandpa Westover, as he is lovingly called by so many, when we went to pick out the perfect Christmas tree — he came up with a huge smile, saw our excitement then pointed out the areas we could wander to pick out our tree.

“Don’t forget to grab a cup of home made cider, wreaths or ornaments,” he called after us.

He was so proud of the family tree farm that they have all worked together to create. The day we were on the farm we met all four generations of Westovers. From the time they were little the Westover kids have been taught the importance of community. On this visit, 3-year-old Chloe was even showing off the wreaths she helped to make. Now at age 5 she has told me she is going to open her own hair salon like Mom and Grandma!

Not only are trees and veggies grown on the Westover farm, this is where all the kids had their love of business grow and develop. Karen has created a successful real estate clean up business. Bill started Westover Auto Rebuild in the garage. For a farm house that started as a small rambler, on 10 very overgrown acres, it has grown with additional outbuildings and a five car garage that Bill develop his love of body shop in. Westover Auto Rebuild started on the farm in 1985 and has grown into a wonderful business now located at Four Corners.  Bill quickly realized that the community was supporting his passion — aka work — so much that he had to make this move. Or as he puts it, get bigger or quit, but better do it quick!  He knew that leaving this community was not an option and thankfully this piece of property came at exactly the right time.

I met Bill and Leslie briefly at different community events but truly had no idea what great people they are. Not only are they fully dedicated to their customers and the service they provide — Bill works on cars every day and has for over 25 years — they are 100 percent committed to our community.

One of their biggest passions is the Maple Valley Community Center and specifically invested in the senior center program. They also help out with the high school groups, Rotary, mission trips and so much more. They are fully engaged in our community and appreciate all the support their customers have given them over the  years.

One of the most important things I learned in talking to Bill is how we can support them as a local business. When you have body work that needs to be done you can choose the shop. Most insurance companies direct you to their shops, but let them know you want to go to Westover and get great work done right here in town. I know I am glad they are here since I just had a run in with a telephone pole and I definitely lost the battle!

As Grandma and Grandpa worked on developing their farm, they were also cultivating the community service and business passion in all of the family. Every year Westover Tree Farm donates trees to Vine Maple Place, the Rotary and more to help raise money through auctions here in town. They also work with Mesa and provide internships to students from around the world. The spring and summer gives them the opportunity to donate veggies to our community food banks. Nikki Westover, owner of the Loft Salon and Spa, remembers from the time she was very young going to farmers markets and festivals with her grandparents selling home made apple cider and this thing called kettle corn.

The Westovers were one of the first families in Washington state to sell kettle corn. Nikki credits her grandparents for the determination and strength to have her own business but to also have the business be an active part in the community. When Nikki and her mom decided to open their salon five years ago they new it would be right here in our community. If fact, it was our local Rotary that helped Nikki get to beauty school with awarding her a scholarship after graduation from Tahoma.

The day Nikki received this scholarship she told them how excited she was and that she would soon be back to open her own business right here in our community and she has done just that.  Now after five years of being in business and developing a family feel within her salon, she can look back and say that it is all because of her family and community that she is here. Nikki and her mom Val give back regularly to Kiwanis, Black Diamond Community Center, Wings of Karen and help support Tahoma School District and Black Diamond Elementary.

The Westovers have all worked hard together whether it is planting Christmas trees, working on cars, building a salon or most importantly at community events and none of them would change a thing or consider living anywhere else.

Looking forward, we know the Westover legacy of family and community will continue to grow and develop. Look at Chloe— she is already talking my ear off about having her own salon and planting trees, but right now she is most focused on how cool the play area will be in kindergarten.

In this family work may start at an early age, but if you are working with family and always laughing can it really be called work?  I want to personally thank the Westovers for taking the time to meet with me and talk about all they do to give back. It is something they have a true passion for but rarely like to have the spot light focused on it.

Contact Megan Sheridan at megansheridan@relylocal.com. For more information visit facebook.com/cashmobmvbd.