Darrington shows rest of us how to get things done

On Saturday, Darrington residents will pull together in ways that could cause communities all around to take notice.

The town’s wooden community center, a unique asset that was built by volunteers in the 1950s, is in need of some upgrades. And thanks to a federal rural development grant, the community has a chance to put in an entirely new wiring system for the building that hosts everything from wedding receptions to high school basketball games (played there since January 1954).

There’s just one obstacle. Like many grants, this one demands that a share of local funds be put up as a partial match. To get the $30,000 from the Department of Agriculture grant (which is about twice what normally is offered under that particular federla program), the community must raise $13,600, hopefully by the end of the year. For a small community — and one that has seen tough timber times — that’s no small undertaking. Diane Boyd, president of the non-profit board that runs the center, said she originally thought the amount was impossible. "Never in my wildest dreams when I signed that paper 60 days ago did I think we would even come close," Boyd said.

But donations and proceeds from a fund raiser last month have already topped $4,000. On Saturday, the center could reach the $13,000 goal with a "Good Ole Country Benefit" that runs from 2 p.m. to about 8 p.m. in the center. Many of those taking part will be people who as youngsters watched the adults cut timber and build the center or, like Boyd’s husband, Bob, was an 11- or 12-year-old and helped out cutting shingles. And many of the adults who did the building and painting will be at the fund raiser, helping to keep the center they created in good shape.

Whatever the financial results, the spirit around Darrington’s community center will be strong enough to remind other cities and towns of the value of working together. And, somehow, the fund-raising drive’s enthusiasm and momentum will eventually push Darrington to its goal.