Monroe volunteer sees inauguration

Monroe resident and Sky Valley Food Bank volunteer, Dave Meeds, recently attended his first presidential inauguration. Meeds is the brother of the late Congressman Lloyd Meeds, who served from 1964 to 1978. Meeds and his son Russell flew to Washington, D.C., together. Meeds volunteers at the Sky Valley Food Bank in Monroe helping to pick up, deliver, sort and distribute food.

H&R Block honors family’s deduction

An Everett couple, Kathy and Miguel Ramirez, recently were honored by the Everett H&R Block for the birth of their baby, Madalyn Maria Ramirez, who was born at 10:53 p.m. on New Year’s Eve at Providence Regional Medical Center Everett.

Everett H&R Block managers Lisa Almengor and Julie Tarr were on hand to congratulate the couple and their daughter Lilly.

Babies born before midnight on New Year’s Eve can help save their parents money on their income tax returns, because they can be claimed as deductions for that year.

Store gives $16,400 to food bank

The Snohomish TOP Food &Drug recently collected $16,400 for the Snohomish Community Food Bank.

The funds were donated by customers who visited the store during a monthlong food drive.

The amount was the second-highest total since TOP Food &Drug started a holiday drive for the food bank in 2001.

Stanwood Scouts give gifts to seniors

Boy Scouts from Troop No. 86 in Stanwood recently handed out Christmas presents to the residents of Josephine Sunset Home in Stanwood.

The Scouts have participated in the event for the past seven years. The gifts are collected through the giving tree at the Everett Mall.

Scouts and their family and friends who participated in the event were: Kathy Grant, Cliff Grant, Jess Grant, Wade Grant, Luke Grant, Steve Ellis Sr., Leah Ellis, Steve Ellis Jr., Dave Bales, Margret Bales, Carrie Bales, Mathew Bales, Derick Morrison, Dalton Morrison, Emmett Morrison, Russ Bartlett, Carole Bartlett, John Bartlett, Blaine Bartlett, Jorden Bartlett, Cassie Bartlett, Jarred Alfieri, Steve Dunn, Andrew Dunn, Gary Overturf, Caleb Overturf, Noland Overturf, Bob Mighell, Cathy Mighell, Bryce Mighell, John Mighell, Kennan Mighell, Mike Zachman, Phillip Zachman, Pat Slack, Carmen Slack, Brian Slack and Tylor Lowery.

Firefighters receive $103,500 grant

Snohomish County Fire Protection District No. 3 recently received a $103,500 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The award was part of a total $727,065 awarded to fire districts in Washington state from the Assistance to Firefighters grant program.

Nationally, the federal program is expected to provide about $500 million to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations throughout the country for fiscal year 2008.

The grant is administered by the Grant Programs Directorate and the United States Fire Administration.

Arlington Boy Scout earns Eagle

A 2008 graduate of Arlington High School recently earned his Eagle Scout rank.

Charles Ewell is the son of Janet and Craig Holt and Judy and Tammy Medinvil.

For his Eagle Scout project, Ewell created costume wardrobes for the Arlington High School performing arts center.

Lake Stevens group helps food bank

The Crosswater Homeowners Association in Lake Stevens recently collected and donated more than 175 pounds of food and $30 to the Lake Stevens Food Bank. The food drive was the association’s first.

VFW auxiliary celebrates 77 years

The Old Guard No. 2100 Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary of Everett recently celebrated its 77th year.

The group met for dinner at the All American Diner at Naval Station Everett to celebrate.

Members who participated included Barbara Miller, Keira Foster, Patty Stephens, Alice Lorigan, Lynn Richter, Jackie Dutton, Ruth Herren, Michelle Crosby, Judy Streit and Michelle Foster.