Semiahmoo Yacht Club has donated $750 for the care and upkeep of the Plover, one of the oldest foot ferries operating in Washington.
Built in 1944 to transport fish cannery workers across Drayton Harbor, the wooden Plover now runs seasonal weekend trips between Blaine and Semiahmoo Spit. Captain Richard Sturgill said the donation will be used to repair or replace the diesel engine's 15-year-old injectors.
"If we are lucky enough to have any funds left over, we will repaint the ferry's red passenger cabin, and further if there any remaining funds in the kitty, we will repaint the black cap rail around the vessel," Richard said.
The Yacht Club welcomes new members year-round. Go to semiahmooyachtclub.com for more information.
NONPROFITS GET $39,000 IN PEPSI REFRESH GRANTS
The good folks at Walton Beverage, our local Pepsi distributor, and Whatcom Community Foundation, have announced $39,000 in grants to local charities in the second annual Local Pepsi Refresh Project.
According to a news release, nonprofit organizations in Whatcom and Skagit counties submitted proposals earlier this summer. The public then voted online for their favorite proposal and submitted "power votes," which allowed one vote for each dollar spent on Pepsi products.
"It's all about the organizations in our community doing great work," said Phil Isle, CEO of Walton Beverage. "And we couldn't do this without the help of the Whatcom Community Foundation."
Lydia Place won $10,000 for its Educating Families and Fostering Community Through Life Skills programs. St. Francis Foundation received $6,000 for its intergenerational garden project. Summit Assistance Dogs' Serving Our Soldiers program won $4,000, and Bellingham Public Library's Early Learning and Literacy Space got $2,000.
Fourteen organizations received "Standout Awards" for their proposals.
Alternatives to Hunger got $1,500 to buy 100,000 pounds of food; Whatcom County Council on Aging won $1,500 to buy fresh produce for Meals on Wheels; and Whatcom Volunteer Center's Pantry on Wheels will use its $1,500 to help volunteers pick up and deliver food to needy homebound people.
Also, the Mount Baker Chapter of the American Red Cross got $2,000 for a catastrophic shelter plan; Blaine Football Booster Club will help fund the Blaine Boys and Girls Club and Middle School football teams with its $1,500 grant; and the Michael Koenen Foundation received $1,500 for youth sports programs.
Bridgeway Christian Academy got $500 for teaching tools; Lucille Umbarger Elementary School will use its $1,000 to help keep students in school; and Royal Family Kids Camp Inc. will use its $2,100 to help with a weeklong camp for local foster kids age 7 to 11 who have a history of abuse and/or neglect in their lives.
Crisis Pregnancy Center of Skagit County received $1,000 for its Living Awareness program; Kulshan Community Land Trust's 100th home got a $900 gift; and META Performing Arts' "Babes in Toyland" musical at McIntyre Hall in Mount Vernon got $500.
Also, the Sergey Foundation got $500 for emergency veterinary grants to low-income people to help them keep companion animals in their homes, and WESnip got $1,000 for its spay and neuter efforts.
UNITED WAY OF WHATCOM COUNTY KICKS OFF FALL CAMPAIGN
The United Way of Whatcom County kicked off its Fall 2011 campaign Sept. 8 with a sold-out luncheon and a message about the importance of education, income and health in our community, according to Tamara Tregoning, the group's communications manager.
She wrote that the event at Bellingham Cruise Terminal brought together 235 community members, partner agencies, and sponsors to celebrate the beginning of the campaign. They're raising money to support more than 40 programs that seek to eliminate hunger, provide access to medical needs, build skills for maintaining stable income, reduce domestic abuse, provide constructive outlets for teens, and much more.
The event was made possible by contributions from Anvil Corp, ConocoPhillips, IBEW Local 191, Portionables, Puget Sound Energy, US Bank The Unity Group, Windows on the Bay Events, Courtyard Gardens, and Lithtex NW.
Peter Theisen, United Way of Whatcom County president, thanked the crowd for raising $2 million last year. Bellingham School District Superintendent Greg Baker gave the keynote address, commending the group's focus on education and reminding the audience about the importance of investing in children.
The 2011 campaign will place extra emphasis on early childhood literacy as education.
"We are aware that literacy is the most important skill early on in life," Peter said. "That skill contributes to an individual's success in all aspects of life and helps make him or her a productive member of society."
The 2011 campaign effort is made possible by local sponsors that contributed $90,000 to ensure more of the dollars raised will be spent on programs. Sponsors include BP, Matrix Services Inc., Whatcom Educational Credit Union, Samson Rope, Banner Bank, PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center, Boeing, Bellingham Cold Storage, Portionables, CH2MHill, ConocoPhillips and Puget Sound Energy.
United Way of Whatcom County board chairman Scott Corzine announced the 2011 goal is to raise $2.1 million to ensure basic needs are taken care of as well as fund new efforts to support early learning. If your organization would like to participate, call campaign director Richard Emerson at 360-733-8670.
LOCAL MANUFACTURER MCNETT HELPS TRAVERSE
One of the sponsors of the Sept. 17 Bellingham Traverse was the local outdoor products manufacturer McNett, which has been based in Bellingham for 30 years.
McNett brands are available in more that 70 countries and include Outgo, Gear Aid, Aquamira, Camo Form, Aquaseal, Seam Grip and Freesole.
In its 10th year, Bellingham Traverse is a relay to benefit local organizations. It consists of a 7-mile run, 6-mile single-track mountain bike ride, 18-mile road bike loop, 3.5-mile trail run, 4-mile canoe or kayak paddle and 0.5-mile trek to the finish line at Boundary Bay Brewery and Bistro. Participants can compete as soloists, in tandem or as teams.
McNett donated more than $1,000 in prizes for the event to reward community members for their involvement.
"We selectively partner with Northwest-based companies to provide for a sustainable event," Todd Elsworth, creator and race director of Bellingham Traverse, said in a news release. "Individuals and teams have raised over $60,000 for the local or regional nonprofits of their choice through the Traverse as a vehicle for fundraising, and McNett's contributions are a great way to reward our participants."
