Several Whatcom County non-profits have until Wednesday, Nov. 30, to gain your vote to win them prize money from the national Pepsi Refresh Project. Winners are selected based on public votes submitted online at refresheverything.com and by text message.
Among the local projects:
• Squalicum High School is eligible for $50,000, which would help allow its choir, band and orchestra go to Washington D.C. for a competition.
• The St. Francis Foundation hopes to win $10,000 to expand a garden that senior citizens and children can work in together. Not only does the intergenerational garden promote physical activity, nutrition, and education, it expands interpersonal relationships. And, they get to enjoy the food they grow.
"We are urging the public to get involved and vote each and every day this month," said Heidi Bugbee, director of The Childcare at St. Francis. "We're up against some much larger organizations from much larger communities, but we think with the support of Whatcom County, we all have a great chance of winning."
You can vote five times daily, for different projects and also text another vote daily for specific projects.
LOCAL HORSEWOMAN PLACES IN NATIONAL SHOW
Maggie McCrady of Bellingham placed 31st of 64 contenders for the Farnam All-Around Amateur Award at the 2011 Bank of America Amateur competition. It was part of the American Quarter Horse Association World Championship Show Nov. 5-19 in Oklahoma City, Okla. She rode Image Assesment, a 1999 chestnut American Quarter Horse gelding.
The association reports Maggie place 13th in showmanship, 13th in western riding and 10th in hunt seat.
SALMON ASSOCIATION OFFERS WEB VIDEO
The Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association showed its new short film, "Our Promise," Nov. 10, at the Pickford Cinema in Bellingham.
Written, directed and produced by Bellingham's Hand Crank Films, the short film is the group's effort to extend its appeal online.
"Our Promise" debuted before a showing of "Green Fire," a documentary on the life and work of conservationist Aldo Leopold.
UNION BANK SUPPORTS LIBRARY LITERACY PROGRAM
The Union Bank Foundation awarded $1,000 to a new program backed by the Friends of the Lynden Public Library that helps parents build pre-literacy skills in local families, according to the library.
The program, Family Fiestas Literacy Parties, is a series of weekly family literacy workshops for Spanish-speaking families with preschool children.
"Investing in education in our communities is a priority for Union Bank, and the bank is delighted to partner with the Friends of the Lynden Public Library to further strengthen our relationship with the Lynden community," said Jerry Kuiken, vice president and branch manager of the Union Bank Lynden branch. "Being able to read and communicate is the cornerstone to future growth and success for everyone."
Lynden children's librarian Tina Bixby and public services assistant Amelia Martinez developed the series, with partners at the Lynden School District, SeaMar Clinics, and Whatcom Literacy Council.
The families will learn skills on how to prepare their child for school and increase literacy skills of both the children and the adults. Each workshop will include book sharing, crafts, and socializing with the parent educator, and a free book to take home, focusing on a specific literacy skill, such as alphabet or phonics awareness.
COLLEGE RAISES $17,000 AT GOLF FUNDRAISER
Northwest Indian College's 9th Annual Golf Scramble raised $17,000 for the school's athletic program, according to a press release from the school.
Forty-four golfers participated in the Sept. 30 event at the North Bellingham Golf Course in Bellingham.
Money was raised through a combination of team sponsorship, tee sponsors and raffle sales.
Two first-place trophies were awarded this year, the Champion Cup, awarded to the tournament's overall winning team, and the Traveling Rez Cup, which is new and was awarded to the first-place team from a participating tribe or casino.
The Champion Cup went to the team sponsored by the Nooksack River Casino, with golfers Bob Kelly, Gary Cochrane, Breck Edwards and Bill Drummond. Traveling Rez Cup winner was the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation.
LOCAL GRANGE WINS NATIONAL AWARD
The December Grange newsletter sends congratulations to Haynie Grange, which will receive a "Distinguished Grange" award at this year's National Grange Convention in Tulsa, Okla. Good for them!
This story was updated Nov. 28 to show only Whatcom County agencies in the Pepsi Refresh voting.
