ARLINGTON — Gerry Andal helped many charities in Snohomish County.
Now, his family hopes a nonprofit in his name can continue the work.
The Snohomish County businessman, country musician and horse lover died March 11 after undergoing heart surgery a few days earlier to repair a heart valve. He was 67.
The Gerry Andal Life Foundation was founded in May. The nonprofit’s first fundraiser is scheduled Aug. 24 at Bistro San Martin at 231 N. Olympic Ave. Proceeds from the $100-a-plate dinner and wine pairing will benefit the Stanwood Therapeutic Riding Center.
“Our goal is to continue to have his friends around and remember Gerry in ways where we can raise money for important things that he cared so much about,” said his son, Kevin Andal.
His father was one of the founding members of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Snohomish County, and Equifriends, a riding program for disabled kids, Andal said. He served on the boards of the Everett Chamber of Commerce and the Washington Restaurant Association and coached youth football teams in the Arlington, Federal Way and Seattle areas.
He often became involved with charities by donating his time at events as an emcee and performing with his band, Gerry Andal and the Roughriders, Andal said.
“I’m a pretty nice guy, but I’m not able to have a band and be an emcee for auctions,” he said. “Since there’s a lot of charities that are going to be missing that we really want to raise money for a lot of charities that were near to his heart.”
Gerry Andal enjoyed the Evergreen State Fair in Monroe and performed there for 20 consecutive years, his son said. The opening day of the fair Aug. 25 has been named “Gerry Andal Day” in his memory. The foundation is planning to sell CDs of Andal’s music for $15 that afternoon, Andal said.
The foundation is an advised fund under The Greater Everett Community Foundation and is trying to raise $25,000 to receive endowment status in the next five years, Andal added. The nonprofit wants to help the Gerry Andal Memorial Scholarship Fund started by the Stanwood Therapeutic Riding Center continue and is planning to hold a golf tournament in Andal’s memory each March.
Amy Daybert, 425-339-3491; adaybert@heraldnet.com.
Foundation fundraiser
The Gerry Andal Life Foundation has scheduled its first fundraiser for Aug. 24 at Bistro San Martin, 231 N. Olympic Ave., Arlington. A time for the dinner will be announced. For updates and to learn more about the foundation go to the foundation website at boomkak.com/gerryfoundation/, to www.Facebook.com and search “The Gerry Andal Life Foundation” or call Kevin Andal at 425-210-1249.
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