Machinists raise $14K for guide dogsMore than 140 runners took part in Machinists Union District Lodge 751’s annual Flight for Sight fun run, which generated more than $14,000 for Guide Dogs of America. The totals were just shy of last year’s all-time records. The event, which was held June 7, included timed 5K and 10K races, plus a noncompetitive 1-mile walk.

For the past 13 years, the Flight for Sight has raised approximately $147,000 for Guide Dogs of America, the California-based charity that provides service dogs and training in their use free of charge to people who are blind or have impaired vision from across the United States and Canada. District 751 is the No. 1 fundraiser for Guide Dogs of America.

Valentine to lead Rotary Club of EverettDr. Mark Valentine was sworn in as president of the Rotary Club of Everett in Changing of the Guard ceremonies held July 8 at the Everett Golf and Country Club. He will serve through the Rotary year, July 2014 through June 2015.

A Rotary member since 1996, Valentine will lead the club’s 147 members as they provide community and international service. He is a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow. Valentine’s medical practice in dermatology is located in Everett.

Also inducted, in ceremonies led by Rotary District 5050 Governor Lyle Ryan of Coastal Community Bank, were: president-elect, Deborah Wright, City of Everett; president nominee, Edwin Petersen, Housing Hope; vice president, Eileen Simmons, Everett Public Library; past president, Maddy Metzger-Utt, Greater Everett Community Foundation; treasurer, Rich Toyer, Toyer Financial Corp.; historian, Larry O’Donnell, retired; and secretary, Dale Newman, Industrial Massage Inc.

New to the board of directors and serving from July 2014 through June 2016 are Kristie Dutton, Everett Public Schools Foundation; Sally Lancaster, Everett High School; Jeff Mitchell, Banner Bank; and Ted Wenta, YMCA of Snohomish County.

Continuing on the board through June 2015 will be Paul Dennis, P.A.L. Enterprises; Tara Eckstrom, BEIT Consulting; John Olson, Everett Community College; and Kathy Webber, Snohomish County Prosecutor’s Office.

Olson was recognized as Rotarian of the Year for his success in drawing new members to the club.

The club meets at noon Tuesdays at the Everett Golf and Country Club. Learn more at www.evrotary.org.

Family gets new home thanks to Habitat, ChaseHabitat for Humanity of Snohomish County celebrated its 20th home dedication on June 28 in Everett. The home was donated by Chase Bank and has been rehabilitated to welcome Habitat partner family, Shindano, Deta and their children.

Major sponsors for the Everett home included Chase Bank, Curley Electric, Dow, the Henry M. Jackson Foundation, Intermec, the Rotary Club of Everett, Taper’s Union School One Union, and Whirlpool.

Rehabilitation of the Chase home began in January. More than 50 group and individual volunteers, led by a core of dedicated volunteer leaders, were involved in the effort.

Partner families contribute over 500 hours of sweat equity and take on a no-interest home mortgage through Habitat. Shindano (no last name provided) brought his family to the United States through the assistance of the World Relief Organization. Before that, the family lived in a refugee camp in Tanzania after fleeing war in the Congo.

To learn more, call 425-258-6289 or go to www.habitatsnohomish.org.

Assistance League honors city for School Bell helpAssistance League of Everett recently honored the city of Everett with the National Operation School Bell Award. Operation School Bell is the primary philanthropic program of Assistance League that provides new school clothes to children in need throughout Snohomish County. The city of Everett has been a long-standing supporter of Operation School Bell through Community Development Block Grants.

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