Christmas House recently received a $5,000 donation

Christmas House gets $5,000 donation

Christmas House recently received a $5,000 donation from the employees of H.D. Fowler Company.

H.D. Fowler is an independent, family-owned distributor of waterworks, irrigation, pumps and wastewater treatment equipment in the Pacific Northwest.

Christmas House is a nonprofit that was formed in 1981, providing Christmas joy to 7,184 children from 2,390 low-income families throughout Snohomish County last year.

For those wishing to support Christmas House either with a monetary donation or by volunteering, visit www.christmas-house.org or call 425-338-2273. Donations may be mailed to Christmas House, P.O. Box 717, Everett, WA 98206.

Arlington campus cop connects with students

Arlington High School’s Mark McDougall is more than the school’s campus security officer; he’s a role model who tries to make connections with all of the school’s nearly 1,600 students. This was why he was nominated for the 2019 Washington State Classified School Employee of the Year. He did not win the title.

“Mark knows the names of nearly all of our students and goes above and beyond to form bonds with students, like volunteering to be a DJ for our holiday winter ball that was hosted for our Special Education Life Skills students,” said Arlington High School Principal Duane Fish. “By knowing all of our students, he also keeps our students and staff safe by recognizing someone who shouldn’t be on campus.”

McDougall has formed these relationships by trying to understand where each student is coming from. He asked the principal for a copy of a book about adverse childhood experiences, for example. Serving as a freshman football and wrestling coach has also helped him connect with students.

“I really try to interact with students and break down their barriers,” McDougall said. “As the campus security officer, I want to be consistent and treat the students all the same. Some of them are already dealing with enough so I don’t want to be part of the problem but part of the solution.”

Sky Valley Community Awards celebration

Sky Valley Chamber of Commerce hosted the 21st Annual Sky Valley Community Awards Celebration. More than 200 guests attended the event located at Sultan High School. Community volunteers and business owners from various organizations in Sky Valley were recognized for their contributions to their communities.

The Sky Valley Chamber of Commerce Director Debbie Copple and active volunteer Ben Emmons kept the crowd entertained throughout the evening as the Masters of Ceremonies.

Chamber Volunteer of the Year award went to Gloria Miller. The Chamber Member of the Year went to Wagley Creek Automotive. The Revitalization of the Year Awards went to Timber Monster Brewing and Coffee, and Big Bear Vape and Glass.

The Citizen of the Year Award went to Steve Tonkin. He grew up in Kirkland. After high school he had a 23-year career in the Navy. During these years served on the Navy ordinance disposal team and was a deep-sea diver. He joined Fire District 5 as a part-time volunteer, in addition to working a full-time job.

Tonkin has set an example of lifelong learning for his two sons as well as countless other children he has mentored. He has earned many special services certificates. Then, shared that knowledge with the community, making it a healthier and safer place to live. He also serves the Sky Valley by driving the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus to engagements with area children. Exemplifying his belief of the value in the moments that bring our community together, Steve took a moment during the Shindig Parade to propose to his wife, Amanda. She accepted.

Other civic and community awards:

Snohomish County Fire District 5 Honorary Firefighter: Dr. Mark Raney

Snohomish County Fire District 26 Firefighter of the Year: Steve McCormack

AND Community Assistance Award: Huston Camp & Conference Center

Gold Bar Red Hats-In Appreciation Of: Bill Tester

Gold Bar VFW Auxiliary Post 9417: Lifetime Contribution Award: Fonda Ellis

Sultan Sportsmen’s Club Supporter of the Year: Wendell Smith

City of Sultan Community Alliance Volunteer of the Year: Ken and Raeanna Marshall

City of Gold Bar-Community Commitment Award: Gold Bar Family Grocer

Sky Valley Arts Council Supporter of the Year: Richard Bergman and Sebastian Hernandez

Sultan-Monroe Masonic Lodge 160 Ole Carlson Citizenship Award: Bill Praegner

Skykomish Chamber of Commerce Recognizes: Skykomish Old Timer’s Picnic Committee

Sky Valley Historical Society Mover and Shaker Award: Bob McCarty

Volunteer of America Sky Valley Volunteers of the Year: Dick King and Pat Toman

Index Business Alliance-Community Service Awards: Kem Hunter and Judy Davis

Sultan Education Foundation Supporter of the Year: Steven Tonkin

Sultan Friends of the Library recognized the lifetime contribution of Marjorie Tyler

VOA WW Sky Valley Youth Coalition 2019 Supporter of the Year: Bob McCarty

Take the Next Step-Kidz Club Volunteer of the Year: Casey O’Roarty

Handyman Extraordinaire: Wayne Pickens

The Sky Valley Chamber of Commerce would like to thank all those who helped to make the evening a success: The Gold Dust Royalty; Cub Scout Pack 52 for the flag ceremony; photographer Bobbie Low; The Sky Valley Youth Coalition for coordination of food and kitchen and Elizabeth Emmons for the slideshow.

Snohomish County Executive David Somers was presented with a Patriot Award at the Snohomish County Commissioner’s weekly meeting by John Van Dalen, ombudsman for the Washington Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, in recognition of extraordinary support of his employee for serving in the United States Army Reserves.

Somers was nominated by USAR CW2 David J. Lente who serves with the 373rd E-MI BN Joint Base Lewis McCord.

“The Patriot Award was created by ESGR to publicly recognize individuals who provide outstanding patriotic support and cooperation to their employees, who like the citizen warriors before them have answered their nation’s call to serve,” Van Dalen said. “Supportive supervisors and managers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units.”

“I nominated Dave because he and the county environment is very supportive of my military career and other reserve and guard employees plus the things he does for our reserve and veteran employees throughout the year.”

ESGR, a Department of Defense program, seeks to foster a culture in which all employers support and value the employment and military service of members of the National Guard and Reserve in the United States.

Achieving the Dream

Everett Community College is one of 11 community colleges nationwide that earned recognition from Achieving the Dream as a “Leader College of Distinction.”

EvCC was recognized for increases in the number of students completing math and English requirements during their first year, year-to-year retention and degree completion.

“The metrics ATD established for Leader College of Distinction are meant to encourage colleges to sustain aggressive efforts that result in far greater student success and equity,” said Karen Stout, president and CEO of Achieving the Dream. “The honor recognizes network colleges that have lived their reform work over time and seen real improvements in student achievement across the institution.”

Achieving the Dream is a national nonprofit dedicated to helping more community college students, particularly low-income students and students of color, stay in school and earn a college certificate or degree. EvCC has participated in Achieving the Dream since 2011.