‘Night of Hope’ concert supports faith-based Hope Unlimited

Published 1:30 am Saturday, September 17, 2016

STANWOOD — It’s a family-friendly night of music and fun that supports a charity with multiple missions in north Snohomish County and Camano Island.

“A Night of Hope” is an annual fundraising concert for Hope Unlimited, a faith-based nonprofit in Stanwood. Hope Unlimited has two central programs. One provides chaplains at police and fire-related emergencies throughout the region. The other is a series of classes and resources for families with single parents.

Hope Unlimited’s volunteers donate hundreds of hours of their time each year, said Ralph Fry, who runs the organization with his wife.

This year’s concert features The Coats, a Seattle a cappella group, and keyboardist Randy McMillan. Doors open at 6 p.m. Oct. 1 at the Byrnes Performing Arts Center at Arlington High School. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.

The Coats were chosen as the main act because “their harmony is tight and their performance is very interactive,” Fry said. “They blend music and comedy. We want people going away smiling and humming all the way home. With all the stresses in people’s lives and in the world, it’s nice to have a night to lighten up.”

Generous sponsors have covered the costs of the event, and all the proceeds will go to the nonprofit, Fry said.

Hope Unlimited’s chaplains were called to more than 200 incidents in 2015, and about 170 so far this year, he said. The nonprofit pays for the volunteer chaplains to be trained and certified.

The chaplaincy group also is still involved in recovery efforts related to the Oso mudslide. That effort at times includes financial support for those deeply affected, he said.

Up to 20 families participate in the single-parent classes, which are held twice a year. About a dozen volunteers help with each nine-week session, he said.

Hope Unlimited is a non-denominational Christian organization that welcomes people of all faiths, Fry said.

Its two prongs of programs are aimed at providing “an organized effort to reach hurting people who are facing the unimaginable, the unexpected,” he said, “whether it’s the chaplain side with fire and police or helping a single mom or dad who feels trapped and unable to cope with the stresses of raising their kids alone.”

Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @rikkiking.

‘A Night of Hope’

Tickets for “A Night of Hope” are available in person at Coastal Bank branches in Camano Island, Darrington, Smokey Point and Stanwood and online at hopeunlimitedwa.org/nightofhopetickets. For more information, call 206-669-6747.

Hope Unlimited, a nonprofit that includes the Stanwood Camano Incident Support chaplains and single-parent family classes, is accepting new volunteers and donations. For more information, contact hopeunlimited@wavecable.com.

Volunteers also are needed to help cook dinners for families in the single-parents classes. For more information, call Janita Aalto at 425-387-0770.