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Dri-Eaz staff donate time to land trust
Skagit Land Trust would like to thank Dri-Eaz and its employees for helping the Trust care for its Samish River property north of Burlington. On May 1, 11 Dri-Eaz employees braved the elements to install a fence to protect young trees on the property from beaver damage. They hauled fencing materials, dug postholes and clipped fence to posts all day. Despite the changing weather and the tall, wet grass, the good-natured group accomplished a great deal in a very short period of time, placing more than 100 posts and nearly a quarter-mile of fencing. Thanks to their help, the Trust feels confident the young trees will have a chance to grow into a forest for all to enjoy.

Whatcom Community Foundation supports NW Therapeutic Riding Center
The NorthWest Therapeutic Riding Center located on Kelly Road in Whatcom County received $4,100 from the Whatcom Community Foundation. The money will be used in support of therapeutic riding lessons for children in special programs with the riding center.
Founded in 1993, the NorthWest Therapeutic Riding Center provides equine-facilitated therapy to residents of Whatcom and Skagit counties. The NWTRC has served up to 32 clients per week ranging in age from 2 to 74. Clients include individuals with autism, Down Syndrome, multiple sclerosis, brain injuries and learning/ behavior disabilities. NWTRC riders work with staff, volunteers and the horses to maximize their capabilities. The center offers a program and environment that is safe, nurturing, challenging and fun.

Opportunity Council honors community partners
The Opportunity Council announced 2006 Community Partner awards at the annual board of directors meeting in April.
Community Partner awards honor people who have demonstrated outstanding collaboration and dedication to the mission of the Opportunity Council.
2006 awards went to: Darrell Hillaire, Lummi Nation; John Korsmo, Northwest Training Institute; Senior Information and Assistance, Northwest Regional Council; Lucille Nollette, Assistant Special Education Director, Bellingham School District; Norman McCrea; and Pat Anderson, Mobil Dental Clinic, Interfaith Community Health Center;
Ken Hoover, professor emeritus, Western Washington University, was the event’s keynote speaker.

Whatcom Community College delivers – to Ghana
Whatcom Community College faculty donated 768 textbooks to start a library at the Konadu Ayiadom Secondary School in Ghana. The school, one of four in a district of over half a million people, has no library and only a scant number of textbooks.
Kwame Buaheme, adjunct faculty member in biology, Linda Lambert, WCC’s library director, and Richard Fulton, vice president for instruction, organized the effort.
Faculty, staff and student volunteers spent the last day of winter quarter labeling, packing, and addressing 37 crates of books.
The donated textbooks reflect WCC’s comprehensive curriculum. Subjects include the sciences, math, social sciences, humanities and arts as well as computing, criminal justice, reading and composition, and tapes for learning French and Spanish. The library also added to the haul with a number of books left over from their annual book sales.
Fulton and Buaheme teamed up with WCC bookstore manager Jon Spores to create a unique fundraising effort. At the end of fall and winter quarters, when book buyers were on campus to purchase students’ used textbooks, Spores invited them to examine the donated books at the same time. Enough books were sold to cover over half the cost of shipping the library to Ghana. The rest of the shipping costs were raised through faculty, staff and student donations.
Donated books may be dropped off at WCC’s Library any time.

SVC diesel program receives equipment donation from PACCAR
The Skagit Valley College Diesel Power Technology program recently received a Hunter K111 alignment machine, thanks to the generosity of the PACCAR Technical Center in Burlington. The donation, worth an estimated $4,500, was presented to diesel instructor Gary Eckermann by Matt Carrigg, PACCAR’s vehicle operations supervisor.
PACCAR has supported Skagit Valley College Professional/Technical programs for many years. PACCAR’s on-going generosity helps to ensure that our students will develop the skills they need to keep pace with rapid changes in technology. “We are very grateful for their alignment machine donation,” said Eckermann.
With the addition of the Hunter K111 to the classroom, students will have new opportunities for hands-on learning. They will be able to measure and align front and rear axles on all medium and heavy-duty over-the-road vehicles. Students will also be able to interpret the results of the adjustments and relate the consequences of misalignment to tire wear which is the second largest cost of truck operation.

Community foundation awards $49,000 in grants
Whatcom Community Foundation (WCF) has awarded grants totaling $49,150 that benefit 12 community organizations as part of its annual competitive grant process. With the award of these grants WCF has made over $225,000 in grants this year to worthwhile community projects with two months remaining in the fiscal year.
This year’s 12 grantees were selected from a record 39 applicants. “It was a real challenge for the committee,” remarked Ray Trzynka, chair of the foundation’s Grants and Program Committee. “The quality and depth of all the proposals, including the ones we were unable to fund, were exceptional.”
Groups receiving grants included: ARC of Whatcom County, Brigadoon Assistance Dogs, Everson Lions Club Foundation, Home Port Learning Center, Interfaith Coalition, Nooksack Valley School District Multicultural Teacher Project, Northwest Therapeutic Riding Center, Sumas Youth & Community Services, Sustainable Connections, Whatcom Coalition for Healthy Communities, Whatcom Dream and Whatcom Literacy Council.
The next WCF competitive grant application deadline for nonprofit organizations serving Whatcom County is February 1, 2007.

Local businesses help kick Multiple Sclerosis
In April, local businesses stepped up to help kick Multiple Sclerosis from coast to coast as they supported Anacortes resident Carlo Magno and The Spirit of Hope Foundation. Hosted by the Outback Steakhouse in Burlington, approximately 100 guests enjoyed a complimentary luncheon, raffle prizes and a presentation from Anacortes-based Summit Assistance Dogs.
Don Wick, Executive Director for the Economic Development Association of Skagit County, emceed the program for area residents who attended the event along with Anacortes officials Mayor Dean Maxwell and Director of Public Works Bob Hyde and the Skagit MS Support Group. Local businesses including Outback Steakhouse, Rolfson’s Home Furnishings, Sunland Bark and Topsoil, Skagit Furniture and Mattress, Nooksack River Casino, Trojan Battery Company, KAFÉ FM and Northwest Java helped sponsor the informational event.
More than $1,500 was raised at the luncheon to assist Magno in his upcoming cross-country trek in his antique, electric wheelchair Blu. Nicknamed the MS Express, Magno and assistance dog Katie will travel from Seattle to New York City this summer to raise awareness for handicapped accessibility issues and $1 million to kick Multiple Sclerosis.
During the luncheon, Magno announced the beneficiaries of the MS Express: National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Multiple Sclerosis Association of America, Trigeminal Neuralgia Association, Accelerated Cure Project for MS, and Summit Assistance Dogs.
“Our turnout for the luncheon was fantastic,” Magno said. “We received some great community support, giving us hope that we’ll accomplish our goals this summer.”
Founded by Carlo Magno, The Spirit of Hope Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation dedicated to raising awareness for handicapped accessibility and quality of life issues.

Habitat for Humanity receives Allstate grant
Habitat for Humanity in Whatcom County, recently received a $500 grant from The Allstate Foundation.
The grant application was facilitated by Carl Angell and Scott Richardson, co-owners of State Street Insurance in Bellingham.
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that secures land and builds affordable houses for families that need a home. Families participate in the building and then purchase their new home with $500 down and a 20-year, no-interest mortgage.
“I’ve seen how much Habitat for Humanity has done to help hard-working families who need a decent home,” Angell said. “The Allstate Foundation grant will support the Whatcom County affiliate, which will have built 24 homes by the end of this year.”

Baron & Co. redesigns Lighthouse Mission Web site
The Lighthouse Mission, recently made it easier for Mission supporters to help the homeless. The Lighthouse Mission, Whatcom County’s only walk-in crisis shelter for men, women and children, recently updated its Web site with a new look, refreshed content and the ability to donate online.
The revamped Web site, www.thelighthousemission.org, keeps community members informed about Mission news and events, including the need for regular, special event, at home and on call volunteers. Since the Lighthouse Mission uses PayPal, supporters can easily make credit card donations from a secure Web site.
Baron & Company, a Bellingham-based strategic communications firm, donated the design and development of the Mission’s logo and updated Web site.

Alcoa Intalco Works donates comfort kits to Red Cross
The employees of Alcoa Intalco Works prepared and delivered comfort kits to the Mt. Baker Chapter of the American Red Cross in April. These kits are provided to individuals when they have experienced a disaster. The comfort kits contain items such as soap, a washcloth, a toothbrush and toothpaste, as well as playing cards for adults and coloring books and crayons for kids. A lot of thought and care went into these kits, and they are greatly appreciated not only by their recipients, but also by the Mt. Baker Chapter.
“Alcoa has been our partner in many situations” said Laura Fields, Emergency Services Director, American Red Cross, Mt. Baker Chapter. “With these kits the employees really took a hands-on approach to meeting the needs of our clients.”

Fox Hall at the Hampton Inn adds hybrid
Fox Hall/Hampton Inn now features a Toyota Prius, a more environmentally sound vehicle, for guest transportation and internal uses. The hybrid replaces a seven-passenger van that the Hampton Inn recently donated to the Whatcom County Tourism Bureau to be used as a mobile information center to promote tourism.
The hotel and event center now offer two vehicles for guest needs, an 11-passenger van for large groups and the Prius for one- or two-person transfers, the most common transport.
“We are pleased to support the tourism bureau and simultaneously institute a more economical and globally friendly vehicle to our overall operation. Our customer response has been overwhelmingly positive!” said Mark Simpson, general manager.
The Hampton Inn and Fox Hall are owned and operated by Alexander & Associates Mgt., Inc. and the hotel is a licensed franchise of the Hilton Hotel Corporation.

Foundation supports Whatcom Co. libraries
A new foundation has been established to support and enhance the work of Whatcom County libraries. The group had a jumpstart with the seed of $25,000 First Amendment Award given in April 2005 from PEN/Newman’s Own Foundation. The group adopted as their first project the “Begin With Books” program, which provides books for new families for the purpose of encouraging reading from early on.
As taxes become diminished in relation to the demand for services, there is an increasing need for public agencies to seek creative revenue sources. That is why the Whatcom County Library Board included establishment of a foundation in its long-range plan several years ago.
The Whatcom County Library Foundation Board is looking for new members who are enthusiastic and committed to supporting the financial health of the Whatcom County Library System. If you are interested in more information, contact: Joan Airoldi, 360.384.3150, ext. 201.

Dri-Eaz staff donate time to land trust Skagit Land Trust would like to thank Dri-Eaz and its employees for helping the Trust care for its Samish River property north of Burlington. On May 1, 11 Dri-Eaz employees braved the elements to install a fence to protect young trees on the property from beaver damage. They hauled fencing materials, dug postholes and clipped fence to posts all day. Despite the changing weather and the tall, wet grass, the good-natured group accomplished a great deal in a very short period of time, placing more than 100 posts and nearly a quarter-mile of fencing. Thanks to their help, the Trust feels confident the young trees will have a chance to grow into a forest for all to enjoy. Whatcom Community Foundation supports NW Therapeutic Riding Center The NorthWest Therapeutic Riding Center located on Kelly Road in Whatcom County received $4,100 from the Whatcom Community Foundation. The money will be used in support of therapeutic riding lessons for children in special programs with the riding center. Founded in 1993, the NorthWest Therapeutic Riding Center provides equine-facilitated therapy to residents of Whatcom and Skagit counties. The NWTRC has served up to 32 clients per week ranging in age from 2 to 74. Clients include individuals with autism, Down Syndrome, multiple sclerosis, brain injuries and learning/ behavior disabilities. NWTRC riders work with staff, volunteers and the horses to maximize their capabilities. The center offers a program and environment that is safe, nurturing, challenging and fun. Opportunity Council honors community partners The Opportunity Council announced 2006 Community Partner awards at the annual board of directors meeting in April. Community Partner awards honor people who have demonstrated outstanding collaboration and dedication to the mission of the Opportunity Council. 2006 awards went to: Darrell Hillaire, Lummi Nation; John Korsmo, Northwest Training Institute; Senior Information and Assistance, Northwest Regional Council; Lucille Nollette, Assistant Special Education Director, Bellingham School District; Norman McCrea; and Pat Anderson, Mobil Dental Clinic, Interfaith Community Health Center; Ken Hoover, professor emeritus, Western Washington University, was the event’s keynote speaker. Whatcom Community College delivers – to Ghana Whatcom Community College faculty donated 768 textbooks to start a library at the Konadu Ayiadom Secondary School in Ghana. The school, one of four in a district of over half a million people, has no library and only a scant number of textbooks. Kwame Buaheme, adjunct faculty member in biology, Linda Lambert, WCC’s library director, and Richard Fulton, vice president for instruction, organized the effort. Faculty, staff and student volunteers spent the last day of winter quarter labeling, packing, and addressing 37 crates of books. The donated textbooks reflect WCC’s comprehensive curriculum. Subjects include the sciences, math, social sciences, humanities and arts as well as computing, criminal justice, reading and composition, and tapes for learning French and Spanish. The library also added to the haul with a number of books left over from their annual book sales. Fulton and Buaheme teamed up with WCC bookstore manager Jon Spores to create a unique fundraising effort. At the end of fall and winter quarters, when book buyers were on campus to purchase students’ used textbooks, Spores invited them to examine the donated books at the same time. Enough books were sold to cover over half the cost of shipping the library to Ghana. The rest of the shipping costs were raised through faculty, staff and student donations. Donated books may be dropped off at WCC’s Library any time. SVC diesel program receives equipment donation from PACCAR The Skagit Valley College Diesel Power Technology program recently received a Hunter K111 alignment machine, thanks to the generosity of the PACCAR Technical Center in Burlington. The donation, worth an estimated $4,500, was presented to diesel instructor Gary Eckermann by Matt Carrigg, PACCAR’s vehicle operations supervisor. PACCAR has supported Skagit Valley College Professional/Technical programs for many years. PACCAR’s on-going generosity helps to ensure that our students will develop the skills they need to keep pace with rapid changes in technology. “We are very grateful for their alignment machine donation,” said Eckermann. With the addition of the Hunter K111 to the classroom, students will have new opportunities for hands-on learning. They will be able to measure and align front and rear axles on all medium and heavy-duty over-the-road vehicles. Students will also be able to interpret the results of the adjustments and relate the consequences of misalignment to tire wear which is the second largest cost of truck operation. Community foundation awards $49,000 in grants Whatcom Community Foundation (WCF) has awarded grants totaling $49,150 that benefit 12 community organizations as part of its annual competitive grant process. With the award of these grants WCF has made over $225,000 in grants this year to worthwhile community projects with two months remaining in the fiscal year. This year’s 12 grantees were selected from a record 39 applicants. “It was a real challenge for the committee,” remarked Ray Trzynka, chair of the foundation’s Grants and Program Committee. “The quality and depth of all the proposals, including the ones we were unable to fund, were exceptional.” Groups receiving grants included: ARC of Whatcom County, Brigadoon Assistance Dogs, Everson Lions Club Foundation, Home Port Learning Center, Interfaith Coalition, Nooksack Valley School District Multicultural Teacher Project, Northwest Therapeutic Riding Center, Sumas Youth & Community Services, Sustainable Connections, Whatcom Coalition for Healthy Communities, Whatcom Dream and Whatcom Literacy Council. The next WCF competitive grant application deadline for nonprofit organizations serving Whatcom County is February 1, 2007. Local businesses help kick Multiple Sclerosis In April, local businesses stepped up to help kick Multiple Sclerosis from coast to coast as they supported Anacortes resident Carlo Magno and The Spirit of Hope Foundation. Hosted by the Outback Steakhouse in Burlington, approximately 100 guests enjoyed a complimentary luncheon, raffle prizes and a presentation from Anacortes-based Summit Assistance Dogs. Don Wick, Executive Director for the Economic Development Association of Skagit County, emceed the program for area residents who attended the event along with Anacortes officials Mayor Dean Maxwell and Director of Public Works Bob Hyde and the Skagit MS Support Group. Local businesses including Outback Steakhouse, Rolfson’s Home Furnishings, Sunland Bark and Topsoil, Skagit Furniture and Mattress, Nooksack River Casino, Trojan Battery Company, KAFÉ FM and Northwest Java helped sponsor the informational event. More than $1,500 was raised at the luncheon to assist Magno in his upcoming cross-country trek in his antique, electric wheelchair Blu. Nicknamed the MS Express, Magno and assistance dog Katie will travel from Seattle to New York City this summer to raise awareness for handicapped accessibility issues and $1 million to kick Multiple Sclerosis. During the luncheon, Magno announced the beneficiaries of the MS Express: National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Multiple Sclerosis Association of America, Trigeminal Neuralgia Association, Accelerated Cure Project for MS, and Summit Assistance Dogs. “Our turnout for the luncheon was fantastic,” Magno said. “We received some great community support, giving us hope that we’ll accomplish our goals this summer.” Founded by Carlo Magno, The Spirit of Hope Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation dedicated to raising awareness for handicapped accessibility and quality of life issues. Habitat for Humanity receives Allstate grant Habitat for Humanity in Whatcom County, recently received a $500 grant from The Allstate Foundation. The grant application was facilitated by Carl Angell and Scott Richardson, co-owners of State Street Insurance in Bellingham. Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that secures land and builds affordable houses for families that need a home. Families participate in the building and then purchase their new home with $500 down and a 20-year, no-interest mortgage. “I’ve seen how much Habitat for Humanity has done to help hard-working families who need a decent home,” Angell said. “The Allstate Foundation grant will support the Whatcom County affiliate, which will have built 24 homes by the end of this year.” Baron & Co. redesigns Lighthouse Mission Web site The Lighthouse Mission, recently made it easier for Mission supporters to help the homeless. The Lighthouse Mission, Whatcom County’s only walk-in crisis shelter for men, women and children, recently updated its Web site with a new look, refreshed content and the ability to donate online. The revamped Web site, www.thelighthousemission.org, keeps community members informed about Mission news and events, including the need for regular, special event, at home and on call volunteers. Since the Lighthouse Mission uses PayPal, supporters can easily make credit card donations from a secure Web site. Baron & Company, a Bellingham-based strategic communications firm, donated the design and development of the Mission’s logo and updated Web site. Alcoa Intalco Works donates comfort kits to Red Cross The employees of Alcoa Intalco Works prepared and delivered comfort kits to the Mt. Baker Chapter of the American Red Cross in April. These kits are provided to individuals when they have experienced a disaster. The comfort kits contain items such as soap, a washcloth, a toothbrush and toothpaste, as well as playing cards for adults and coloring books and crayons for kids. A lot of thought and care went into these kits, and they are greatly appreciated not only by their recipients, but also by the Mt. Baker Chapter. “Alcoa has been our partner in many situations” said Laura Fields, Emergency Services Director, American Red Cross, Mt. Baker Chapter. “With these kits the employees really took a hands-on approach to meeting the needs of our clients.” Fox Hall at the Hampton Inn adds hybrid Fox Hall/Hampton Inn now features a Toyota Prius, a more environmentally sound vehicle, for guest transportation and internal uses. The hybrid replaces a seven-passenger van that the Hampton Inn recently donated to the Whatcom County Tourism Bureau to be used as a mobile information center to promote tourism. The hotel and event center now offer two vehicles for guest needs, an 11-passenger van for large groups and the Prius for one- or two-person transfers, the most common transport. “We are pleased to support the tourism bureau and simultaneously institute a more economical and globally friendly vehicle to our overall operation. Our customer response has been overwhelmingly positive!” said Mark Simpson, general manager. The Hampton Inn and Fox Hall are owned and operated by Alexander & Associates Mgt., Inc. and the hotel is a licensed franchise of the Hilton Hotel Corporation. Foundation supports Whatcom Co. libraries A new foundation has been established to support and enhance the work of Whatcom County libraries. The group had a jumpstart with the seed of $25,000 First Amendment Award given in April 2005 from PEN/Newman’s Own Foundation. The group adopted as their first project the “Begin With Books” program, which provides books for new families for the purpose of encouraging reading from early on. As taxes become diminished in relation to the demand for services, there is an increasing need for public agencies to seek creative revenue sources. That is why the Whatcom County Library Board included establishment of a foundation in its long-range plan several years ago. The Whatcom County Library Foundation Board is looking for new members who are enthusiastic and committed to supporting the financial health of the Whatcom County Library System. If you are interested in more information, contact: Joan Airoldi, 360.384.3150, ext. 201.
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