Community extra: Applause
Published 9:39 pm Wednesday, September 16, 2009
HONORS
Million Mile Drivers celebrated
Muriel Cort of Edmonds and David Samii of Camano Island were recently honored as Community Transit’s newest Million Mile Drivers.
They started training to be Community Transit coach operators on the same day in August 1995. Almost 14 years to that date, Cort and Samii reached the National Safety Council’s standard to qualify for the honor.
Both have traveled the equivalent of two round trips to the moon and back without a preventable accident and joined the ranks of more than 100 Community Transit drivers who have reached this milestone.
“You have to keep in mind the things (Community Transit) teaches you, and it’s a lot of common sense,” Samii said. “You have to be patient; this job requires a lot of patience.”
Samii mostly drives Routes 130 and 131 between Lynnwood, Aurora Village and Edmonds. He likes driving in south Snohomish County and enjoys the scenery and people he meets on his routes. Samii has received numerous thank-you letters and commendations, including one for helping a fellow coach operator in need of assistance.
Cort mostly drives Route 105 between the Mariner park-and-ride lot and Bothell. She has earned several commendations and positive customer comments in appreciation of her professional attitude and skills. Cort chooses to drive mostly evening routes.
“There’s less traffic, and more entertaining things happen late at night,” she said. “It’s an interesting job. I prefer it to the other things I’ve done. I’ve been a contractor, owned a couple of restaurants, and had a lot of years as a housewife. I did like raising kids better, but I really like this.”
By reaching Million Mile Driver status, Cort and Samii receive a special Million Mile Driver jacket, patches for their uniforms and a plaque. Each will also have a bus named in their honor.
GIVING
Stanwood group announces grants
The Stanwood-Camano Area Foundation recently announced five community grants supporting community projects.
Grants were awarded to the Stanwood-Camano Food Bank, Stanwood-Camano Incident Support, Safe Harbor Free Clinic, Sno-Isle Library Foundation and Design Stanwood.
Funds for the grants came from a donation given to the foundation more than 10 years ago.
This donation is invested by the foundation and the interest earned generates community grants every year.
“We are truly grateful to all of our donors,” said Oisteen Boge, vice president of the foundation. “It is extremely rewarding to be able to assist our community every year thanks to this community grant endowment.”
For more information on the Stanwood-Camano Area Foundation go to www.s-caf.org.
Couple gives back to food bank
Ray and Sharon Coleman of Gold Bar recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary by asking friends and family to donate money for the Sultan Food Bank.
The couple met their guest’s donations dollar for dollar for a total donation of $952.
