Community Extra: Applause

Group makes handmade quilts for veterans

The Pilchuck Chapter of the Daughters of the American Colonists this month completed 23 handmade lap quilts, which they donated to the spinal cord injury unit at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Seattle.

Ruth Shaff, treasurer of the Pilchuck Chapter and chairwoman of the chapter’s Veterans Services Committee, designed and assembled the patchwork quilts, many of which were created with patriotic or military themes.

At the chapter’s November meeting, the quilts were tied by members, who include Cheryl Healey, Jean Albertson, Pat Zuanich, Elaine Hamner-Yard, Iras Gabryelewicz, Suzanne Cloore, Marjory Radford, Maralyn Ricketts, Mary Bess Johnson, Ramona Arcuri and Jen Champlin. In addition, chapter member Marietta Roth completed and donated a handmade quilt.

For more information about the Daughters of the American Colonists, call 425-743-5030.

Arlington firefighters collect for food bank

The Arlington Fire Department Santa Run concluded Dec. 16 after 10 consecutive nights. The firefighters, their families and friends escorted Santa through Arlington neighborhoods on a decorated fire engine gathering food donations, passing out candy canes and spreading holiday cheer.

The firefighters collected 5,800 pounds of food and $612 for the Arlington Food Bank.

This 20-year event is a tradition that takes the combined effort of approximately 70 volunteers, many who help several nights. The Santa Run is the largest annual food drive for the Arlington Food Bank.

The firefighters union, IAFF Local 3728, buys the candy canes, decorations and Santa gear, and the city of Arlington provides a reserve fire engine and aid vehicle to be used.

Tulalip Bay Fire District 15 helps food banks

Tulalip Bay Fire Department recently held its annual Santa Run Food Drive.

Off-duty firefighters came together to volunteer their time to escort Santa around the district spreading holiday cheer and collecting food for the local food banks.

The effort gathered more than 600 pounds of non-perishable food items.

“We would like to thank our community for the continued support we receive each and every year during this event,” said firefighter and department photographer Peter Spawn.

Toys for Tots benefits from toy drive

Wingert Insurance Agency in Mill Creek recently collected more than 400 donations during a community drive for South Snohomish County Toys For Tots. Assisting the agency with toy delivery was Brien Ford of Everett, which loaned a 2013 Escape for toy transport Dec. 14.

Real estate agents help programs for children

In October, Windermere Real Estate agents from Everett held their annual “Windermere Serves” dinner at the Majestic Cafe in Everett. They filled the restaurant with clients, friends and family and served as the wait staff.

The gratuities collected at that event, about $3,600, were divided and given to Hand in Hand Kids foster care program, Volunteers of America and Imagine Children’s Museum.

Bank employees give to Christmas House

Sterling Bank’s Shoreline branch recently held its fourth annual bake sale to benefit Christmas House in Everett. Employees raised $832 and Sterling Bank gave a corporate donation of $500.

Christmas House is a Snohomish County charity offering gifts of clothing and toys for children of low-income families. Go to www.christmas-house.org for more information.

VOA food bank gets donation from business

The employees of Triumph Structures donated $1,205 to the Volunteers of America Everett Food Bank.

Artie Miller was recognized for his work collecting the cash, which exceeded last year’s donations by almost $300. In addition, Triumph Structures-Everett matched its employees cash contributions and gave an additional $1,205 cash to the food bank.

More holiday donations are scheduled to run in the Applause column on Jan. 1. More information: reporter Gale Fiege, 425-339-3427; gfiege@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Damian Flores, 6, kisses his mother Jessica Flores goodbye before heading inside for his first day of first grade at Monroe Elementary School on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It’s like the Super Bowl’: Everett celebrates first day of school

Students at Monroe Elementary were excited to kick off the school year Wednesday along with other students across the district.

Traffic moves along Bowdoin Way past Yost Park on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A new online tool could aid in local planning to increase tree coverage

The map, created by Washington Department of Natural Resources and conservation nonprofit American Forests, illustrates tree canopy disparities across the state.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Snohomish PUD preps for more state home electrification funding

The district’s home electrification rebate program distributed over 14,000 appliances last year with Climate Commitment funds.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Everett in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
One person dead in single-vehicle crash on Wednesday in Everett

One man died in a single-vehicle crash early Wednesday morning… Continue reading

A firefighter moves hazard fuel while working on the Bear Gulch fire this summer. Many in the wildland fire community believe the leadership team managing the fire sent crews into an ambush by federal immigration agents. (Facebook/Bear Gulch Fire 2025)
Firefighters question leaders’ role in Washington immigration raid

Wildfire veterans believe top officials on the fire sent their crews into an ambush.

More frequent service coming for Community Transit buses

As part of a regular update to its service hours, the agency will boost the frequencies of its Swift lines and other popular routes.

More than $1 million is available for housing-related programs in Snohomish County, and the Human Services Department is seeking applications. (File photo)
Applicants sought for housing programs in Snohomish County

More than $1 million is available for housing-related programs in… Continue reading

A semi truck and a unicycler move along two sections of Marine View Drive and Port Gardner Landing that will be closed due to bulkhead construction on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Port of Everett set to begin final phase of bulkhead work, wharf rebuild

The $6.75 million project will reduce southbound lanes on West Marine View Drive and is expected to last until May 2026.

Appeals court rules against Snohomish Co. firefighters who refused vaccine

Eight firefighters had appealed a lower court’s decision that granted summary judgement to Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue.

Everett Transit Director Mike Schmieder talks about how the buses are able to lower themselves onto the induction chargers on Monday, March 10, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett Transit plans for expanded service, more riders

The agency’s six-year plan shows upgrades are coming to its fleet and to its station infrastructure.

Firefighters responded Wednesday, Sep. 3, 2025, to reports of smoke and flames on the back side of a duplex on Linden Street in Everett. (Everett Fire Department)
Everett apartment fire displaces three residents on Wednesday

The cause of the fire on Linden Street remains under investigation.

South County Fire Chair Jim Kenny leads a meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
South County Fire restores paramedic to Mill Creek station

Station 76 will have five personnel, including one medic. The board of commissioners approved the change by a 4-2 vote Tuesday.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.