Neighbors and community members on Dec. 14 joined Snohomish County Council Chairwoman Stephanie Wright, Executive John Lovick, state Rep. Mary Helen Roberts, and Parks Director Tom Teigen for the ribbon-cutting and official opening of the Lake Stickney Community Park.

“This park is the result of all the hard work of neighbors and volunteers. They had a vision and helped make this a reality every step of the way,” Wright said.

Lake Stickney Conservancy and Snohomish County Parks hosted a number of events to remove invasive plant species and litter from the park, while maintaining natural areas and native vegetation. Supported by REI and Edmonds Community College, the work events were made possible by the efforts of Lake Stickney Conservancy President Joyce Altaras and the many volunteers who participated.

Kiwanis gives kids in need a boost

The Mukilteo chapter of the Kiwanis service club on Dec. 14 gathered food and cash donations for Packs for Kids, an area charity that provides weekend food supplies to school kids in need. The food drive was held outside the Harbour Pointe QFC. Shoppers donated more than 775 pounds of food, two backpacks and $175 during the five-hour effort. The twelve Kiwanis members spent a total of 30 volunteer hours on the project.

Packs for Kids was started by Oran Smith-Osterman. Students who receive free or reduced-price meals at school receive the food donations each Friday to carry them through the weekend.

Donated items that don’t fit the backpack program’s needs were sent to the Mukilteo Food Bank, along with an extra $2,000 donation from Kiwanis members.

Riverside celebrates the holiday spirit

The Riverside Neighborhood Association organizes a friendly holiday lighting and decorating competition each year. This year’s winners were recognized at special holiday neighborhood meeting, presented with a hand-painted ornament by Amber Cormier and a certificate. In addition, signs were placed in the winners’ yards to recognize their efforts.

Top winners included: Kelly Mitchell (3519 25th St.) for Best Decorated; Derek Stein (2615 Harrison Ave.) for Best Theme; Diana Woodard (2513 Cleveland Ave.) for Best Day Time; Aimee and Tim Lambright (2902 Victor Place) for Best Earth Friendly; Jason Gregory (2223 Walnut Ave.) for Best Blow-up; MotorCycle Goodies (1911 Broadway) for Best Business; and 19th Street and Summit Avenue for Best Block.

Business help seniors beat blues

Home Instead Senior Care, a companion-care business, on Dec. 11 brought Fred Meyer gift certificates to 43 seniors at the Plaza 44 Apartments in Lynnwood as part of an effort to help low-income seniors during the holidays.

In total, the Home Instead offices serving Snohomish, Pierce, North/South King and Spokane counties have raised more than $8,000 this year to provide gifts for more than 130 low-income seniors throughout the state.

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