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Loan officer donatingto Boys and Girls Club
Leena Kirschman, a loan officer for First Horizon Home Loans in Bellingham, is donating 5 percent of her proceeds in 2006 to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Whatcom County.
Kirschman has been working in financial services for 18 years. She also serves on the board of directors for the Bellingham branch of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Whatcom County.
“The Boys and Girls Clubs promote and enhance the development of young people by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence,” Kirschman said. “I’ve seen the positive impact on 5,700 children currently served by Boys and Girls Clubs of Whatcom County and encourage others to join me in supporting them.”
Kirschman assists clients in obtaining residential loans for purchases, refinances and new construction, as well as home equity lines of credit.
Bellis Fair shoppers show charitable spirit in 2005
Bellis Fair shoppers helped raise more than $17,000 for charities in 2005. The total includes nearly $12,000 in ticket sales for the popular Festival of Giving event held last November and $5,300 raised for Children’s Miracle Network via programs like Breakfast with Santa, a Halloween photo program, and donation canisters placed in the shopping center.
“Bellis Fair is proud to offer opportunities that encourage our community to support charities that in turn benefit local community members,” said Marketing Manager Cara Buckingham. “We are looking forward to continuing these types of programs in 2006.”
In addition to locally focused events, Bellis Fair has served as a Red Cross collection site for catastrophic natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina.
Bellis Fair is owned and operated by General Growth Properties, Inc.

Community Food Co-op announces donation recipients
The Community Food Co-op of Bellingham’s member affair committee is pleased to announce its selection of 12 community organizations that will each receive 2 percent of a day’s sales in 2006.
The organizations – some fledgling, others with long histories – all work to improve the quality of life for Whatcom County residents. The Co-op board of directors earmarks a part of its budget to the Community Shopping Days each year.
The organizations selected this year are:
• Community to Community Development
• Maple Alley Inn (Opportunity Council)
• Veterans for Peace
• North Cascades Institute
• River Farm
• Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association
• Explorations Academy
• Camp Kirby
• Bike to Work and School Day
• Old Town Christian Ministries
• Bellingham Food Bank
• Mother-Baby Center
The Community Food Co-op, Whatcom County’s community-owned natural-foods market, was established in 1970.

New foundation looking for your kindness
The Kindness Foundation, currently under organizational development, is seeking board members and private and corporate supporters. This foundation, based in Burlington, will perpetuate an attitude and atmosphere of kindness in schools and kids in Washington state.
The main focus is to create and award scholarships based on kindness, rather than academics. Revolutionary, these scholarships will allow deserving kids to be chosen for their budding humanitarianism, rather than just academic successes.
“It’s time that a program rewards kids for what’s in their hearts and the way they think, rather than just how intellectual or intelligent they are,” says Patricia Kelley, director and founder.
Kelley is seeking interested and like-minded persons to become members of the board. She is also seeking legal and accounting professionals that may be interested in donating start-up services for organizational needs. For companies and private philanthropists interested in supporting this important organization in start-up costs or other one-time or ongoing funding donations, your potential offer of support is desired and appreciated. Information: 360.391.9901.

PRWeb establishes scholarship fund
Ferndale-based PRWeb is pleased to announce the David McInnis/PRWeb Scholarship in Online News & Public Relations at Western Washington University (WWU). The annual scholarship, established through the WWU Foundation, will be awarded to two exceptional journalism students attending WWU in Bellingham.
The first scholarships will be awarded in the spring for the 2006-07 academic year. PRWeb has pledged a five-year commitment to the foundation.
“Having hired numerous alumni of WWU’s journalism department, I found that graduates of WWU are part of an important and talented labor pool in Whatcom County,” said David McInnis, CEO and founder of PRWeb. “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to help promising students with financial need to complete their education.”
Scholarship recipients must be declared majors in public relations at WWU, have a financial need and demonstrate academic merit.
Bellingham Lions go extra mile for disabled man
Patti Burns, owner of Hearing Northwest in Bellingham and Bellingham Harborview Lions member, knew she and the Lions could help local man Tom Grant when he came to her office for a new hearing aid.
Due to DSHS rules and Grant’s limited income, he wasn’t able to afford the specialized hearing aid he needed. With many several disabilities, the total loss of his hearing was devastating, said Burns.
Burns and the Harborview Lions turned to the Northwest Lions Foundation for Sight and Hearing based in Seattle for help. The foundation typically provides matching grants to Lions clubs for items that the clubs’ ordinary budgets won’t cover. In this case, the foundation covered the total cost of the hearing aid.
Harborview Lions has sponsored their hearing aid program for more than three years and, through public donations, has provided assistance to 20 people in Whatcom County.

Alcoa awards grant to Big Brother Big Sisters
The Alcoa Foundation has awarded a grant of $6,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Washington (BBBSNW) to support the School Buddies program for the 2005-2006 school year.
School Buddies is a school-based mentoring program operating in three Whatcom County and five Skagit County schools. Children from local elementary schools are referred to the program by teachers and other school staff as needed for extra adult support and attention. Community volunteers, or “Bigs,” are recruited to spend one hour each week throughout the academic year at their “Littles,” school during the school week.
BBBSNW is currently close to achieving the goal of matching 100 youth in School Buddies programs during the 2005-2006 school year.
The agency has a continuous need for more Big Brothers as they continue to receive more referrals for boys.
“Because of caring organizations like the Alcoa Foundation, more children in northwest Washington can have professionally supported mentoring relationships that contribute to brighter futures, better schools and stronger communities for all,” says Linda Ballasy, CEO for BBBSNW.

Robert Chester DDS awards scholarship
Robert Chester DDS has awarded two scholarships to dental assistant students Katie Compton and Tammy Smith at Bellingham Technical College. The Robert Chester DDS Pursuit of Excellence Dental Assistant Scholarship complements BTC’s dental assistant scholarship program that includes two other scholarships, both funded by the Mount Baker Dental Society.
The scholarship is awarded twice a year to a BTC dental assistant student from Whatcom County who most consistently demonstrates initiative, leadership, attention to detail and patient comfort, teamwork, professionalism and a quest for lifelong learning.
“It’s a pleasure and an honor to support the academic goals of the dental assisting program at BTC,” said Chester.

Horizon Bank pledges donation to Whatcom County Historical Society
Horizon Bank has pledged to donate funds to the Whatcom County Historical Society’s courthouse restoration project.
The pledged funds will be used toward the restoration of Whatcom County’s historical courthouse. The courthouse, built in 1858 and located on E Street, was the first brick building known to be constructed in Washington territory. T.G. Richards and Company was the original owner and used the building until it was sold to the county in 1863.
“We are excited and proud to be a part of the re-construction of the old courthouse,” said President and Chief Operating Officer Dennis Joines. “It is a valuable piece of Whatcom County’s history and its restoration plays a key role in maintaining the integrity of historical Bellingham.”

ConocoPhillips giving sets company record
ConocoPhillips employee and corporate support to United Way of Whatcom County set a new record for the comp-any. The total gift of $77, 853 represents a 7.1 percent increase over the previous year, and the highest level achieved by the local refinery.
“I am inspired by generosity of ConocoPhillips,” said Peter Theisen, United Way president. “The combined support of the ConocoPhillips employees and corporation will ensure much needed services in the coming year.”
The ConocoPhillips Corporation donated $38,000 to the United Way of Whatcom County, and employees pledged an additional $39,853.
The fundraising campaign supports 28 local nonprofit agencies, including American Red Cross, Brigid Collins, Womencare Shelter, Boys and Girls Clubs, and many others. United Way invests the funds to address four priorities: food and shelter; youth and families; health and wellness; and safety and intervention.

Costco, Wal-Mart combine for large United Way donations
A challenge made by a local Costco Wholesale executive to the Bellingham Wal-Mart store contributed to donations of more than $79,000 to the 2005 United Way of Whatcom County fundraising campaign.
Gene Dunlap, general manager of the Bellingham Costco store and a board member for the United Way of Whatcom County, challenged Mike Swanson, store manager of the Bellingham Wal-Mart, to increase its number of employees making United Way pledges to 250. If they did, Dunlap said he would serve as a greeter at the store for one hour.
Since the Wal-Mart employees met their end of the bargain, donating $23,929, Dunlap made good on his promise in January. Wal-Mart matched pledges of its employees on a dollar-for-dollar basis, contributing to 12 Bellingham employees who donated at least $1,000.
Dunlap also found a receptive audience among Costco employees. The Bellingham Costco store donated $55,607 to the United Way of Whatcom County.
“It was great to see Wal-Mart and Costco partner in promoting the United Way, which brings together individuals, businesses and nonprofit organizations to strengthen our communities,” said Cindy Daily, community involvement coordinator for the Bellingham Wal-Mart. Daily served as a loaned executive to the United Way of Whatcom County campaign.

WECU Donates $10,136 to local non-profits
Whatcom Educational Credit Union donated at total of $10,136 to 11 local non-profit organizations.
The Social Responsibility Committee oversees WECU’s monetary donations and participation in sweat equity projects. The committee supports education, health and community-related projects, actively seeking those that address acute community concerns such as violence, homelessness and drug abuse. Requests for monetary donations must be made through an application process. The next deadline is February 24, 2006. Application and further information are available on the WECU website www.wecu.com or by contacting Kari Olson at kari.olson@wecu.com.

Loan officer donatingto Boys and Girls Club Leena Kirschman, a loan officer for First Horizon Home Loans in Bellingham, is donating 5 percent of her proceeds in 2006 to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Whatcom County. Kirschman has been working in financial services for 18 years. She also serves on the board of directors for the Bellingham branch of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Whatcom County. “The Boys and Girls Clubs promote and enhance the development of young people by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence,” Kirschman said. “I’ve seen the positive impact on 5,700 children currently served by Boys and Girls Clubs of Whatcom County and encourage others to join me in supporting them.” Kirschman assists clients in obtaining residential loans for purchases, refinances and new construction, as well as home equity lines of credit. Bellis Fair shoppers show charitable spirit in 2005 Bellis Fair shoppers helped raise more than $17,000 for charities in 2005. The total includes nearly $12,000 in ticket sales for the popular Festival of Giving event held last November and $5,300 raised for Children’s Miracle Network via programs like Breakfast with Santa, a Halloween photo program, and donation canisters placed in the shopping center. “Bellis Fair is proud to offer opportunities that encourage our community to support charities that in turn benefit local community members,” said Marketing Manager Cara Buckingham. “We are looking forward to continuing these types of programs in 2006.” In addition to locally focused events, Bellis Fair has served as a Red Cross collection site for catastrophic natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina. Bellis Fair is owned and operated by General Growth Properties, Inc. Community Food Co-op announces donation recipients The Community Food Co-op of Bellingham’s member affair committee is pleased to announce its selection of 12 community organizations that will each receive 2 percent of a day’s sales in 2006. The organizations – some fledgling, others with long histories – all work to improve the quality of life for Whatcom County residents. The Co-op board of directors earmarks a part of its budget to the Community Shopping Days each year. The organizations selected this year are: • Community to Community Development • Maple Alley Inn (Opportunity Council) • Veterans for Peace • North Cascades Institute • River Farm • Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association • Explorations Academy • Camp Kirby • Bike to Work and School Day • Old Town Christian Ministries • Bellingham Food Bank • Mother-Baby Center The Community Food Co-op, Whatcom County’s community-owned natural-foods market, was established in 1970. New foundation looking for your kindness The Kindness Foundation, currently under organizational development, is seeking board members and private and corporate supporters. This foundation, based in Burlington, will perpetuate an attitude and atmosphere of kindness in schools and kids in Washington state. The main focus is to create and award scholarships based on kindness, rather than academics. Revolutionary, these scholarships will allow deserving kids to be chosen for their budding humanitarianism, rather than just academic successes. “It’s time that a program rewards kids for what’s in their hearts and the way they think, rather than just how intellectual or intelligent they are,” says Patricia Kelley, director and founder. Kelley is seeking interested and like-minded persons to become members of the board. She is also seeking legal and accounting professionals that may be interested in donating start-up services for organizational needs. For companies and private philanthropists interested in supporting this important organization in start-up costs or other one-time or ongoing funding donations, your potential offer of support is desired and appreciated. Information: 360.391.9901. PRWeb establishes scholarship fund Ferndale-based PRWeb is pleased to announce the David McInnis/PRWeb Scholarship in Online News & Public Relations at Western Washington University (WWU). The annual scholarship, established through the WWU Foundation, will be awarded to two exceptional journalism students attending WWU in Bellingham. The first scholarships will be awarded in the spring for the 2006-07 academic year. PRWeb has pledged a five-year commitment to the foundation. “Having hired numerous alumni of WWU’s journalism department, I found that graduates of WWU are part of an important and talented labor pool in Whatcom County,” said David McInnis, CEO and founder of PRWeb. “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to help promising students with financial need to complete their education.” Scholarship recipients must be declared majors in public relations at WWU, have a financial need and demonstrate academic merit. Bellingham Lions go extra mile for disabled man Patti Burns, owner of Hearing Northwest in Bellingham and Bellingham Harborview Lions member, knew she and the Lions could help local man Tom Grant when he came to her office for a new hearing aid. Due to DSHS rules and Grant’s limited income, he wasn’t able to afford the specialized hearing aid he needed. With many several disabilities, the total loss of his hearing was devastating, said Burns. Burns and the Harborview Lions turned to the Northwest Lions Foundation for Sight and Hearing based in Seattle for help. The foundation typically provides matching grants to Lions clubs for items that the clubs’ ordinary budgets won’t cover. In this case, the foundation covered the total cost of the hearing aid. Harborview Lions has sponsored their hearing aid program for more than three years and, through public donations, has provided assistance to 20 people in Whatcom County. Alcoa awards grant to Big Brother Big Sisters The Alcoa Foundation has awarded a grant of $6,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Washington (BBBSNW) to support the School Buddies program for the 2005-2006 school year. School Buddies is a school-based mentoring program operating in three Whatcom County and five Skagit County schools. Children from local elementary schools are referred to the program by teachers and other school staff as needed for extra adult support and attention. Community volunteers, or “Bigs,” are recruited to spend one hour each week throughout the academic year at their “Littles,” school during the school week. BBBSNW is currently close to achieving the goal of matching 100 youth in School Buddies programs during the 2005-2006 school year. The agency has a continuous need for more Big Brothers as they continue to receive more referrals for boys. “Because of caring organizations like the Alcoa Foundation, more children in northwest Washington can have professionally supported mentoring relationships that contribute to brighter futures, better schools and stronger communities for all,” says Linda Ballasy, CEO for BBBSNW. Robert Chester DDS awards scholarship Robert Chester DDS has awarded two scholarships to dental assistant students Katie Compton and Tammy Smith at Bellingham Technical College. The Robert Chester DDS Pursuit of Excellence Dental Assistant Scholarship complements BTC’s dental assistant scholarship program that includes two other scholarships, both funded by the Mount Baker Dental Society. The scholarship is awarded twice a year to a BTC dental assistant student from Whatcom County who most consistently demonstrates initiative, leadership, attention to detail and patient comfort, teamwork, professionalism and a quest for lifelong learning. “It’s a pleasure and an honor to support the academic goals of the dental assisting program at BTC,” said Chester. Horizon Bank pledges donation to Whatcom County Historical Society Horizon Bank has pledged to donate funds to the Whatcom County Historical Society’s courthouse restoration project. The pledged funds will be used toward the restoration of Whatcom County’s historical courthouse. The courthouse, built in 1858 and located on E Street, was the first brick building known to be constructed in Washington territory. T.G. Richards and Company was the original owner and used the building until it was sold to the county in 1863. “We are excited and proud to be a part of the re-construction of the old courthouse,” said President and Chief Operating Officer Dennis Joines. “It is a valuable piece of Whatcom County’s history and its restoration plays a key role in maintaining the integrity of historical Bellingham.” ConocoPhillips giving sets company record ConocoPhillips employee and corporate support to United Way of Whatcom County set a new record for the comp-any. The total gift of $77, 853 represents a 7.1 percent increase over the previous year, and the highest level achieved by the local refinery. “I am inspired by generosity of ConocoPhillips,” said Peter Theisen, United Way president. “The combined support of the ConocoPhillips employees and corporation will ensure much needed services in the coming year.” The ConocoPhillips Corporation donated $38,000 to the United Way of Whatcom County, and employees pledged an additional $39,853. The fundraising campaign supports 28 local nonprofit agencies, including American Red Cross, Brigid Collins, Womencare Shelter, Boys and Girls Clubs, and many others. United Way invests the funds to address four priorities: food and shelter; youth and families; health and wellness; and safety and intervention. Costco, Wal-Mart combine for large United Way donations A challenge made by a local Costco Wholesale executive to the Bellingham Wal-Mart store contributed to donations of more than $79,000 to the 2005 United Way of Whatcom County fundraising campaign. Gene Dunlap, general manager of the Bellingham Costco store and a board member for the United Way of Whatcom County, challenged Mike Swanson, store manager of the Bellingham Wal-Mart, to increase its number of employees making United Way pledges to 250. If they did, Dunlap said he would serve as a greeter at the store for one hour. Since the Wal-Mart employees met their end of the bargain, donating $23,929, Dunlap made good on his promise in January. Wal-Mart matched pledges of its employees on a dollar-for-dollar basis, contributing to 12 Bellingham employees who donated at least $1,000. Dunlap also found a receptive audience among Costco employees. The Bellingham Costco store donated $55,607 to the United Way of Whatcom County. “It was great to see Wal-Mart and Costco partner in promoting the United Way, which brings together individuals, businesses and nonprofit organizations to strengthen our communities,” said Cindy Daily, community involvement coordinator for the Bellingham Wal-Mart. Daily served as a loaned executive to the United Way of Whatcom County campaign. WECU Donates $10,136 to local non-profits Whatcom Educational Credit Union donated at total of $10,136 to 11 local non-profit organizations. The Social Responsibility Committee oversees WECU’s monetary donations and participation in sweat equity projects. The committee supports education, health and community-related projects, actively seeking those that address acute community concerns such as violence, homelessness and drug abuse. Requests for monetary donations must be made through an application process. The next deadline is February 24, 2006. Application and further information are available on the WECU website www.wecu.com or by contacting Kari Olson at kari.olson@wecu.com.
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