Community Extra: Applause
Published 7:28 pm Thursday, May 16, 2013
YMCA’s Invest in Youth hits $1.2 million mark
YMCA of Snohomish County has raised more than $1.2 million during its 2013 Invest in Youth campaign, 8 percent more than last year and exceeding its goals. Funds help support children, teens and families at five Y branches and a Big Brothers Big Sisters affiliate office.
Funding totals as of May 1 by branch (along with names of local campaign chairwomen and men:
•Everett Family YMCA, Kelly Shepherd of Sequoia High School: $194,134
Marysville/North County Family YMCA, Sean King of Whitfield’s insurance: $166,414
Mill Creek, Jason Lucas of Microsoft: $79,500
Monroe/Sky Valley, Linda Cline: $148,500
Mukilteo, Greg Abbey: $170,117
Big Brothers Big Sisters, Dan Gunderson of Windermere: $71,000
YMCA of Snohomish County Board of Trustees, Scott Forslund of Premera Blue Cross: $401,530
Stanwood/Camano Initiative, Theresa Metzger: $33,000
YMCA of Snohomish County, Mark Mantei of The Everett Clinic: $1,264,201
Edmonds veteran named parade marshal
The Edmonds Chamber of Commerce recently named veteran Ervin Schmidt as the 2013 Grand Marshal of “An Edmonds Kind of Fourth” parade.
Erv, as his friends call him, is a highly decorated Navy veteran, and has been a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars for 65 years. He lives in Edmonds and is a member of VFW Post 8870 in Edmonds.
Lake Stevens teen vying for Miss Washington
Haley Downey, a sophomore at Lake Stevens High School, is among 25 young women who will compete in the Miss Washington’s Outstanding Teen competition, May 25 and 26 at the Highline Performing Arts Center, 401 S. 152nd St., Burien.
Haley is focusing on wildlife conservation and rehabilitation as a platform issue. She plans to perform a harp solo version of baroque flamenco for the talent portion of competition.
The preliminary competition is at 7 p.m. May 25 with the final ceremony at 7 p.m. May 26. Tickets are available at www.brownpapertickets.com/profile/223199.
Clinic foundation gives $25K to Housing Hope
Local nonprofit Housing Hope recently received a $25,000 grant from The Everett Clinic Foundation for Housing Hope’s Economic Empowerment Initiative.
The grant supports the programs of both Housing Hope and its subsidiary, HopeWorks, to help homeless and very low-income families across Snohomish County secure jobs and better wages.
Marysville honors work to educate on trafficking
Marysville resident Elaine Hanson was honored at the Marysville City Council meeting on May 13 as the Volunteer of the Month for April for her key role in raising awareness about human sex trafficking and its effects on young women.
Hanson, retiring after a 30-year career teaching math, science and physical education in Marysville schools, became a member of Soroptimist International of Marysville in 2005. It was through her work with the service club focused on improving the lives of women that she became involved in efforts to educate others about the often well-hidden crime of teen sex trafficking.
Comcast helps Delta neighborhood
Hundreds of Comcast employees and their families worked on three volunteer projects for the Everett Housing Authority on April 27 for Comcast Cares Day. Volunteers from the Housing Authority, local high schools, residents and community members also took part in sprucing up areas of the Delta Neighborhood.
One group created the Delta Neighborhood Friendship Garden at 12th and Fir streets, including planting boxes, an arbor, garden shed and benches.
A second group painted and cleaned the Grandview Community Center and planted a garden.
The third group painted, repaired, cleaned and removed overgrown brush at the Everett Boys and Girls Club.
Volunteers clear brush at Odyssey
About 40 volunteers from the Beverly Park Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were at Odyssey Elementary School in Mukilteo recently to clear brush and vines, pick up litter, and make the school’s wetlands area between the street and visitor parking lot usable for students.
A school district groundskeeper created a trailhead and marked off a path and native plants to preserve, while the school district supplied tools, fence rails and 10 yards of mulch for the project.
“Students can now study native plants and animals in their much improved habitat,” Principal Cheryl Boze said.
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