Stanwood honors a community of philanthropists
Published 10:56 pm Tuesday, February 3, 2009
STANWOOD — Philanthropy isn’t just about well-to-do people donating money.
Stanwood-Camano Area Foundation director Theresa Metzger believes a philanthropist can be anyone who consistently gives of his or her time and support to nonprofit organizations.
On Friday, the foundation plans to honor a group of philanthropists who support local scholarships, the arts, parks, the food bank and other programs to help those in need.
The foundation’s annual Philanthropist Awards Breakfast isn’t a competition, but one philanthropist of the year will be named, Metzger said.
“Our community is so wonderful that every year it’s a difficult decision to make,” she said.
The breakfast is set for 8 a.m. Friday at the Floyd Norgaard Cultural Center Hall, 27108 102nd Ave. NW in Stanwood.
Graham Kerr, an internationally known culinary and TV personality, is scheduled to speak.
There is no cost to attend, but philanthropists of every sort are encouraged to donate to the foundation.
“This is our only fundraiser of the year,” Metzger said.
The honored philanthropists are:
The family of Robert and Marion Nicholas, founders of Stanwood Hardware. The Nicholases have supported community organizations and scholarships for more than 40 years. Their philanthropic legacy continues with their sons Jack and Walt, current owners of Stanwood Hardware, Metzger said.
Jeannie Ovenell, one of the founders of the Stanwood-Camano Food Bank. Ovenell has volunteered for the food bank for more than 30 years and helped raise more than $1 million for the food bank building and renovations.
Greg and Irene Stewart, who quietly and consistently support local organizations and those in need with funds, time and involvement, Metzger said.
Karen Hamalainen and Sandra Worthington, the daughters of Muriel and Lee Risk, who made it possible for the state to purchase the land for the area’s newest state park, Cama Beach. Through their efforts, as well as those of Afko Hamalainen and Gary Worthington, the community enjoys more than a mile of shoreline on the southwest side of Camano Island, Metzger said.
Reporter Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427 or gfiege@heraldnet.com.
If you go
To attend the Stanwood-Camano Area Foundation Philanthropist Awards Breakfast on Friday, call 360-629-6878.
