Annual fundraiser for Darrington group that helps grieving families
Published 12:01 am Friday, March 25, 2011
DARRINGTON — No matter who you are, if your family lives up in Darrington, your loved ones can count on the community to serve dinner after your funeral.
It’s a Tar Heel custom and one of the things that makes the town special, said Mayor Joyce Jones.
The 25-member memorial dinner com
mittee has for about 50 years served the chicken, scalloped potatoes, green beans, deviled eggs and blackberry pies after most funerals here. The committee is informally led by Janet Cabe and Frankie Bryson.
“Janet brought this care for others with her when she moved from North Carolina,” Jones said. “The people who make these dinners happen are very committed. They work behind the scenes, shun recognition and truly want to help families begin the healing process.”
The committee’s annual Fun Day, which raises money to cover some of cost of the dinners, is set for Saturday at the Darrington Community Center, at the corner of Sauk and Fir streets.
The day begins with a potluck at noon and continues throughout the afternoon with door prizes, an auction and lots of eating and visiting.
“All year long, people sew quilts and baby blankets, make crafts, bake food and create every kind of gift basket you can think of for the auction,” said historical society president Leah Tyson. “Fun Day is truly fun, and the entire community turns out.”
Margie Black’s homemade blackberry pies have been known to go for $150 at the fundraiser, Jones said. “She knows where to pick the berries and how to fresh-freeze them.”
When people in town are faced with a death in the family, someone on the committee makes a call to ask if they would like a dinner served after the services. Then the phone tree is activated and the potluck dinner comes together.
“It doesn’t cost the families anything because they have enough to do and pay for. And they take home all the leftovers. It gives us a true sense of community and it makes me very proud,” Jones said. “It’s like the loaves and the fishes, and rarely does anyone have to run to the store because there wasn’t enough food.”
Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427; gfiege@heraldnet.com.
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