A July 4th-themed fundraiser by Edmonds restaurant owner Shubert Ho raised $3,000 for the nonprofit South County Firefighters Foundation. Ho launched the sale of “Edmonds Kind of 4th” T-shirts, tank tops and hats in gratitude for firefighters saving one of his businesses in an April fire. He was the grand marshal for the Edmonds Fourth of July parade.

Ho is co-owner and executive chef of Feedme Hospitality and Restaurant Group, which includes Main Street restaurants Salt & Iron and Mar-Ket Fishmonger and Eatery, Bar Dojo in the Five Corners neighborhood, Dojo Togo food truck and Shooby Doo catering.

The shirt and hat sales raised $2,500. Ho’s restaurant group donated $500 to make it $3,000. He presented the check last week to the foundation, which uses it for things such as taxi vouchers, food, medications and other items for people in need as well as educational projects.

Long-time Assistance League of Everett volunteer acknowledged

Joanne Gunderson has received the Ada Edwards Laughlin Award, for her 21 years of volunteer work with the Assistance League of Everett.

The recognition was created for those who put in hard work in the background and step up when needed, according to the Assistance League.

Gunderson began with the organization in 1998, and has served on the board and chaired committees. She has been treasurer, finance chair, education chair and school bell chair. She also has been named president twice.

“Joanne can always be counted on, if she says she will do it, it will get done,” a release from the Assistance League said.

Retired Arlington firefighters are first to receive new award

Arlington Fire Department Chief Dave Kraski has unveiled the new Rung of Honor award. It will go to those who have provided outstanding service to the fire department and community. It recognizes pride, leadership, high standards and accomplishments.

The first recipients are retired firefighter Harold Smith and retired chiefs Doug Schmidt and Tom Cooper. They were honored on Tuesday during a ceremony at Fire Station 46.

Lynnwood native crowned Miss Asia Washington

Susie Cho was crowed Miss Asia Washington representing Lynnwood as her hometown on August 3. This was her first time competing.

Cho said her main motivation in entering was to represent a body type that is nontraditional in the pageant world.

“I wanted to prove that it’s possible to see beauty and win even when I was short and had a more athletic body type,” she said.

Months before the pageant, the coordinators had contestants meet up with mentors to work on walks, poses, public speaking and other skills. Between these training sessions, it was up to the contestant to refine their skills.

As a winner Cho will be attending fashion-centered events to promote her own ideas of beauty, “which is not defined by body type, size, or ethnicity,” she said.