12/18/08

Caring Communities

The holiday spirit inspires gifts of love and support.

by Beckye Randall

As in seasons past, folks in north Snohomish County are reaching deep in order to reach out. Even in these uncertain economic times, citizens are committed to helping their neighbors and, in the spirit of giving, have supported the various projects that provide assistance to the county’s growing population of needy families.

Operation Marysville Community Christmas (OMCC) volunteers have been busy for several months, gathering food and gift items for needy local families. Items collected in red barrels located inside local grocery stores will be distributed beginning December 18.

More than 200 supporters attended the Marysville Food Bank’s gala benefit on December 16, a fundraising event for the new food bank facility. Thanks to the generosity of the community, the new building, which provides more storage and preparation areas as well as enhanced client service, will officially open in January 2009. The festive gala event helped raise money for the organization’s continued operations and some “wish list” items for the new facility.

A generous donation by the Marysville Noon Rotary helped realize the food bank’s building plans. The local service organization contributed $100,000 in initial funds for the capital project and has supplemented that donation with thousands more since.

The Marysville chapter of Soroptimist International also contributed to the food bank gala by providing festive lighted Christmas trees as decorations. Following the event, the trees were given to local families through Operation Marysville Community Christmas (OMCC). Members of Soroptimist also raised $2,000 cash for OMCC through annual fundraisers, including a successful fall auction.

Marysville’s Sunrise Rotary group has also been busy this year, supporting community organizations with cash awards. Recent contributions include $2,000 to the food bank, $2,000 to the Boys and Girls Club, and $1,000 to Housing Hope.

Following the department’s annual food drive December 8-10, Marysville firefighters delivered four truckloads of food, equal to 3446 pounds, and approximately $3,800 in cash donations to the Marysville Food Bank.

Jeff Cole, president of the Marysville Professional Firefighters Local 3219, said, “We are thankful for the generous donations of our community. We couldn’t have done it without them.”

Not to be outdone, Arlington’s firefighters held their annual Santa Run during the Twelve Days of Christmas, December 6 through 17. The bright red fire engines visit neighborhoods, dispensing candy canes for kids and collecting donations of food and gifts for needy families. The haul is delivered to the Arlington Community Food Bank.

Firefighter Ronda Davies explained that last year’s event netted more than $1,000 in cash donations and over 5,500 pounds of food, and the department is determined to match or exceed those totals this year.

Volunteers from Allen Creek Community Church hosted Christmas at the Outer Court on December 13 to raise money and donations for Seeds of Grace, a nonprofit organization that helps families in Snohomish County.

According to Dee Turner, Seeds of Grace operates Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m. at 7625-44th Dr. NE #C. The outreach is open to all, with no eligibility requirements.

"We don't turn anyone away," Turner explained. "If they have a need, we're here to help."

From company toy drives to Harv Jubie's annual "Bah! Humbug!" party, folks in north Snohomish County are proving, once again, that the spirit of the holiday is alive and well. Despite the shaky economy and a general trend toward belt-tightening, red barrels are being filled with hope for those less fortunate, thanks to the generosity of our neighbors.

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