YOUR VOTE WILL HELP PIERCE COUNTY FAMILIES >>>

Laugh all you want, but on Election Day the Weekly Volcano likes to be near the SeaTac International Airport. If a military coup breaks out, we want to be the first to take off to another land. But, security being what it is these days, we've had a bit of trouble just hanging out and getting our drink on at the airport the last few elections. We'd rather not go into the details.

It's safe to say a military coup will not break out before today's election, which ends tonight at 9 p.m.

Emergency Food Network Executive Director Helen McGovern is a finalist for a "Harlequin: More than Words" contest. If she beats the other "real-life heroines" across the nation, she could bring thousands of dollars to needy families of Pierce County.

Each year, Harlequin Enterprises selects three women to receive the Harlequin More Than Words award from hundreds of nominations solicited from readers and the general public. Each recipient receives $15,000 to advance the work of her charity, and three of Harlequin's bestselling authors donate their time and talent to write novellas inspired by the life and work of the recipients. McGovern is a poster woman for the contest. She left her successful commercial Realtor job left to lead EFN's effort to serve those in need, especially through this time of economic hardship.

The voting phase ends tonight at 9 p.m. McGovern is currently fighting for third place.

The Weekly Volcano caught up with McGovern on this final stretch of the contest.

WEEKLY VOLCANO: What drew you to the Emergency Food Network?

HELEN MCGOVERN: It was a several month process I went through when I decided to leave the corporate world and take my skills and contacts into a more purposeful pursuit. The timing was so perfect for this transition to EFN.  David Ottey had been a force to be reckoned with and had left a strong foundation ready to move on to face the challenge. My skill set was a match for that challenge. I truly feel it was where I was meant to be.

VOLCANO: What do you miss most about selling real estate?

MCGOVERN: What I miss most is the wonderful group of colleagues I was privileged to work with on a daily basis. I still get together monthly with some of them, however it isn't the same. 

VOLCANO: What is your favorite moment so far at EFN?

MCGOVERN: One of my favorite moments was receiving a call from J.T. Wilcox of Wilcox Farms informing us that EFN would be receiving 6,000 dozen eggs.  What an amazing and generous donation. Protein is our most difficult item to obtain. Those eggs were in and out of our warehouse and into clients' homes in a matter of days.

VOLCANO: What does EFN need most?

MCGOVERN: EFN needs money. This $15,000 can be used for freight to pick up donated produce. We could have access to almost one million pounds of fresh vegetables and fruit with this money. Farmers have generously donated produce in Eastern Washington, if we can come get it.  The 56,000 pounds costs us approximately $600 in freight. 

VOLCANO: If you win and a novella is written about you, who would play you in the movie version?

MCGOVERN: I couldn't do it myself? If not me, then whoever would donate their acting fee to us can have the job. 

To vote for Helen McGovern and help thousands in need, click here.

LINK: Donate to the Emergency Food Network