Lynden Public Library has received the 2012 Estela and Raúl Mora Award for exemplary efforts promoting El día de los niños, El día de los libros/Children's Day, Book Day, according to a press release from the Whatcom County Library System.

The award is presented by REFORMA, the National Association to Promote Library & Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking.

The library will receive $1,000 and a plaque commemorating their efforts.

The Lynden celebration included a free book for each child, craft activities led by bilingual teen volunteers, and several story times followed by a game with books as prizes. A disc jockey, piñata, and games of skill added to the events for more than 250 patrons.

Teen volunteers and families from the library's literacy programs helped plan the celebration, with the guidance of library staff.

"We have learned to look to the strengths and resources in the Lynden Latino community to build strong relationships that create services, programs and library collections that support diversity, children and literacy," said Tina Bixby, Lynden children's librarian. "(Latino) Families realized that that they have something to give the library."

SYMPHONY CONDUCTOR FINALIST PERFORMS

Scott Seaton, the first of Whatcom Symphony Orchestra's music director finalists, will conduct at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 4, at Mount Baker Theatre. The program of classical favorites includes Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto #1, with soloist Charlie Albright.

Roger Briggs, artistic director since 1995, stepped down in June 2012. The symphony search committee members reviewed 118 applications before deciding upon four finalists. Each finalist will appear as a guest conductor this season. Audience and musician feedback will then be considered before hiring a permanent music director for the 2013-2014 season.

The other finalists are Jonathan Andrew Govias, conducting Jan. 27, 2013; David Alexander Rahbee, conducting March 3, 2013; and Yaniv Attar, conducting April 14, 2013.

According to the symphony's website, Seaton has performed with the Toronto Philharmonia, Mansfield Symphony, Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg, Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich, and the Bohuslav Martinu Philharmonic, and has worked with other orchestras.

He is currently music director of the Lakeland Civic Orchestra in Ohio and assistant conductor of Festival Opera in California.

Call 360-734-6080 for tickets, which start at $12.

RECORD DONATIONS AT FOOD DRIVE

The 18th annual Feed the Need Community Food Drive brought in a record 300,000 pounds of food in October, according to a press release from Industrial Credit Union, which sponsored the event along with Haggen and Cascade Radio Group.

Proceeds from the weeklong drive benefit local food banks. Whatcom County food banks distribute about 500,000 pounds of food per month, and 1-in-6 households regularly use a food bank, according to Mike Cohen, executive director of Bellingham Food Bank.

Kim Sutton, Industrial Credit Union's executive vice president and Feed the Need chair, said "I am overwhelmed by the generosity of our community. From the $1,000 checks to the spare pocket change, we needed every last bit to meet our goal. Year after year I have had the privilege of seeing this community pull together to support those who need it the most."

Farm donations also hit a record high this year, with a combined total of more than 40,000 pounds of food coming from BelleWood Acres, Boxx Berry Farms, Cascade Farms, Curt Mayberry Farms, Hawley Farms, Joe's Garden and Knutson Farms.

"We would not have met our goal without the support of our local farms and gardens," Kim said. "We cannot thank these farms enough for not only making such large donations, but for the hard work that goes into harvesting the food. The gleaning projects at these farms provide healthy, local food that many at the food bank could not otherwise receive."

RACE FOR EDUCATION DRAWS 400

The 5K run/walk Race for Education raised nearly $12,000 for Bellingham Public School Foundation and Communities in Schools Oct. 15 at Civic Field. More than 400 runners, walkers and volunteers helped out, according to a press release.

Sehome High School was the host school and its band was on hand to play for the runners, as was the cheer squad and student leadership class members.

The event was sponsored by WECU and Fred Meyer.

Lowell Elementary School won the prize for the highest percentage of school community participation, with honorable mentions going to Fairhaven Middle School and Silver Beach, Geneva and Sunnyland elementaries.

The top three men finishers were Ken Koenig, 17:33; Tommy Lingbloom, 18:10; and Nels Postma, 18:30. Top three women were Alma McMurty, 18:59; Theresa Westfall, 20:17; and Emmie Sullivan, 21:20. Student runners in the top 20 overall included Sam Hunter, Logan Sitkin, Emmie Sullivan, Rosie Kirker, Christopher Lo and Zach Shenkin.

Bellingham Public School Foundation raises community awareness and financial support for Bellingham Public Schools.

Communities in Schools provides schools with resource coordinators. It focuses on Bellingham and Nooksack Valley schools, and provides programming to reduce the dropout rate in Whatcom County.

ASSISTANCE LEAGUE PROVIDES SCHOLARSHIPS

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The Assistance League of Bellingham held its annual Fall Fling Fashion Show Luncheon at Bellingham Golf & Country Club Oct. 13, raising money to support its Enrichment Scholarship Program and Operation School Bell.

Enrichment Scholarship helps Whatcom County public school students attend summer workshops for a variety of interests. Erin O'Reilly, program chairman, reported that $39,000 was given in scholarships to 23 middle school students and 44 high school students for the summer of 2012.

Savannah Ferron, scholarship recipient from Bellingham High School, gave a solo performance of Scottish dance at the luncheon.

Operation School Bell provides new school clothing and shoes to children in need. The program will serve about 1,300 Whatcom County children this year, according to Charlotte Knodt, the group's vice president of communications.

Reach JULIE SHIRLEY at julie.shirley@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2261.