Soroptimists to provide
gifts to Friendship House

Soroptimist International of Sedro-Woolley announced two new projects for the rest of this year. They will offer ongoing help to Bellingham Friendship House. At the beginning of the year, they gave several cases of toilet paper and several hundred articles of clothing. SI/Sedro-Woolley will continue to collect household items for Friendship House through June.

They will also collect and supply clothing to emergency rooms at Skagit Valley and United General Hospitals. Sweatshirts and sweatpants will go to accident victims receiving emergency care who had their clothing cut off by hospital staff.

At the end of 2002, SI/Sedro-Woolley and their sister club in Malton, England each donated in the others’ name to South Africa AIDS Orphan Project.

 

Visiting nurse provides flu shots

Visiting Nurse Personal Services provided flu shots to people in Friendship House an at other locations in Skagit, San Juan, Island and Whatcom Counties. Support for the vaccination project came from Auto Mall Service, Peoples Bank, Carolyn Fakkema, Whidbey Island Bank, Blade Chevrolet, Olympic Health Management, Group Health, Trident Seafoods, and Charlie’s Greenhouse.

 

WWU Alumni scholarship deadline soon

Scholarships for entering freshmen, transfer and continuing students are available to students who apply before Mar. 1. The Western Washington University alumni association offers a total of 21 one year and renewable scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $3,000.

“Through the generosity of so many Viking alumni, the Alumni Association is pleased to support WWU students,” said Ted Pratt, executive director of alumni relations.

The License Plate scholarship, $10,000 to one incoming freshman over four years, is funded through sales of personalized WWU license plates.

Applications are available online at: http://www.wwu.edu/~alumni/.

 

Grants to Fidalgo Shore project

Shannon Point marine center will host students and adult volunteers for a ten-day exploration of near shore habitats on Fidalgo Island.

Washington Sea Grant Program and Shannon Point are contributing $15,000 each to the project and the Anacortes Park Foundation is giving $1,000. Participants will survey the shoreline during low tide at points from Ship Harbor to Skyline Bridge.

At the project’s conclusion, participants will lead interested community members on a tour of the project area and will display results at various locations around Skagit County, including Anacortes High School, Anacortes Public Library, Padilla Bay Nature Center, and the Washington State Ferry Terminal.

 

Birch loads up on toys for kids

Birch Equipment, an equipment dealer with locations throughout Skagit County, was a toy drop location for 2002 and collected 300 toys. Since 1998, Birch has collected over 1,300 toys.

Birch is a toy drop location this year as well. Donors can drop toy donations at any Birch Equipment location.

 

Frederick to coordinate Volunteers of America finances

Michael R. Frederick is chief financial officer of Volunteers of America Western Washington. He replaces Janette Saparto, who retires this year.

Frederick is a CPA, with degrees from the University of Washington and the University of Minnesota.

Volunteers of America Western Washington is a service organization offering programs for children and youth and seniors, and services for mental health and disability.

 

Corporate leaders value philanthropy

Despite economic uncertainty, companies still find community and social responsibility important, according to a recent survey. Fully one-third of chief financial officers said “social responsibility programs that support charitable giving” are very important to their organizations. A further 45 percent termed the programs somewhat important.

“Many firms and individuals look for evidence of good corporate citizenship when choosing whether or not to do business or accept a position with a company,” said Paul McDonald, executive director of Robert Half Management Resources. “People want to feel good about where they work, and social responsibility programs can have a significant impact on this perception.”

The survey, conducted by Robert Half Management Resources, polled 1,400 CFOs from a stratified random sample of companies with over 20 employees.