Hugs come with a helping hand on Whidbey

Hearts and Hammers pounded home a powerful volunteer message on Whidbey Island.

I recently wrote about the group, whose members worked the first Saturday in May painting homes, fixing front porches and weeding gardens.

Thanks to freelance photographer David Welton, we have this beautiful picture of Delaney McIntyreWhite, a volunteer who is hugging Mary Barnett in Freeland. McIntyreWhite helped paint and do repair work for Barnett.

The group worked at more than 40 sites, restoring homes for those who couldn’t do the maintenance or afford to have it done.

The one-day repair blitzes by Hearts and Hammers of South Whidbey Island began in 1994, the idea of Lynn Williford of Langley. She wanted to help folks who needed help stay in their homes.

Recipients are grateful. Ray and Dodie Handby in Greenbank made cinnamon rolls for the crew who did work around their home and cut wood for winter.

In all, 30 cords of wood were chopped and delivered. There were 600 workers who met for breakfast then scattered for a long day of helping their neighbors.

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Someone who cares gathers their friends.

They pitch in two days of their lives.

As opposed to other benefit ideas, there is no bingo, tickets aren’t sold and no one hires a big band.

But money is raised for a good cause. They sit at grocery stores, kindly asking for donations. It’s a simple way of gathering support. In this case, it’s a fine success.

Dorthy Ottoway of Marysville and her friends and family spent a recent Saturday and Sunday at Granite Falls Red Apple and Safeway in Arlington to ask shoppers to donate to Sarvey Wildlife Center of Arlington.

“We did better than I thought with the economy the way that it is,” Ottoway says. “We raised just over $800 and collected five truckloads full of donations.”

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Lasagna is on the menu when Granite Falls plans a town meeting.

It’s a Family to Family, Neighbor to Neighbor Resource Fair and Forum at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at 205 N. Alder Ave. in Granite Falls.

It’s sponsored by the Granite Falls Community Coalition, the Washington State Department of Social and Human Services, Children’s Administration, Region 3 and Snohomish County Community Mobilization. The three organizations are joining forces to discuss the need for foster families, a new Boys &Girls Club, mentoring and the state of volunteerism in Granite Falls.

At the Resource Fair, learn what services are available in the county.

It’s free, says Cindy Akin, office coordinator for the coalition. There will be an Italian dinner, and day care is to be provided. Let them know you are coming by calling 360-691-1121.

Does Granite Falls have a little old lasagna maker?

“Chef Costco does a wonderful job,” Akin says.

Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451, oharran@heraldnet.com.

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