Bayview Fund donor Bond passes away at age 93
Whatcom Community Foundation is saddened by the recent passing of Fredericka Bond, donor of the Whatcom Community Foundation Bayview Fund. Bond lived a quiet, simple life in Bellingham that gave little evidence of the world traveler she was or the generous gifts she bestowed on those things she loved.
In February of 2004, Bond donated $303,000 to establish the Bayview Fund (endowed) designating equal annual gifts to the following organizations: Bellingham Public Library, Whatcom Council on Aging, Sardis Wildlife Center, Whatcom Museum of History and Art, Whatcom Land Trust, Whatcom Symphony Orchestra, Laurendeau Foundation and Whatcom Community Foundation. In keeping with her lifestyle philosophy, she requested that her identity not be revealed until her death.
Although Bond lived in Bellingham simply and quietly since 1969, the key to her worldview could be found in her family of origin and in her long, happy marriage to Guy “Buster” Bond, a world expert on the teaching of reading.
Born in 1913 in New York City as Doctor Fredericka Hoffa, she quickly shed the first name that was her humorous father’s idea of a joke. Her other sisters were named Lebanon, Portland and Laston (the last one). Her New York connections also included some brush with celebrity, with legendary New York Times caricaturist Al Hirschfeld as family friend and comedian Fred Allen as her sister Portland’s husband. Her majors at Adelphi University in New York, mathematics and psychology, did not hint at what turns her life would take.
Bond’s ability to give these gifts of magnitude she attributed in part to the fact that she was “not a shopper” and did not like to buy things. She derived great joy from being able to make gifts to many good causes to this community she called home for the last years of her rich and happy life.
Semiahmoo golf tournamentraises $336,000 for ALS
The third annual ALS Association Golf Tournament, held in July at Semiahmoo Golf & Country Club, set a new record for the local chapter, raising more than $336,000 for the fight against ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease).
Combining the efforts of an all-volunteer committee with the resources of Semiahmoo Resort, the event surpassed benchmarks set in previous years and remains the largest charitable fundraiser in the history of the resort.
Funds generated this year bring the three-year total to more than $811,000, according to event chair Diane O’Neill. Last year’s event brought in approximately $300,000, while the inaugural event in 2004 raised $175,000.
With major corporate support from Semiahmoo Resort and Skagit Valley Casino Resort (The Skagit), the all-day event was staged at the Semiahmoo golf course, with the dinner and auction held at the Semiahmoo Golf & Country Club Pavilion.
The sold-out event had a capacity turnout, including special appearances by Senator Dale Brandland and wife Jean, former University of Washington football coach Don James and wife Carol, and “Almost Live!” cast member Pat Cashman, who served as master of ceremonies.
This annual ALS fundraiser was created by a group of Semiahmoo residents and club members who wanted to provide moral support for a local resident diagnosed with the disease. A grassroots, all-volunteer effort began in 2003 to stage the first annual event in 2004, which was highly successful.
Par Tee tourney nets $35,000 for Cancer Care Center
The third annual Par Tee Golf Classic, held at Eaglemont Golf Course in Mount Vernon, raised a record $34,985, which will directly benefit the new Regional Cancer Care Center currently under construction next to Skagit Valley Hospital.
Sponsored by Fisher Companies, Inc., 144 golfers were treated to 18 holes of golf, lunch, dinner, use of a golf cart and activities at each hole. Other features included a putting contest, hole-in-one prizes, a raffle and give-aways.
This annual event was organized by the Skagit Valley Hospital Foundation, which was formed in 1988 to raise, manage and distribute finds to ensure quality health care services and programs at Skagit Valley Hospital.
School supply drive raises $20,000 in supplies
More than $20,000 in school supplies were donated in August to help children who are homeless or from very low-income families in the Opportunity Council’s 14th Annual School Supply Drive. Opportunity Council expects to serve over 300 children who are homeless. Nearly 700 children from very low income households will also receive supplies through Blue Skies for Children and Readiness-to-Learn Coordinators in Whatcom County school districts.
“Our community’s generous support makes a huge difference for children in our community,” said Sheri Emerson, Opportunity Council Public Relations Director. “In addition to the supplies donated from businesses, many offices passed the hat and collected money and supplies, too. All this support really helps children who are in need start school off with the right tools and a positive attitude toward succeeding in the classroom.”
Donors brought supplies and financial donations to school buses parked in the Office Depot/Costco parking lot, and in front of the Opportunity Council’s downtown Bellingham office.
Among the items donated were 700 backpacks from Costco and barrels of supplies donated by Whatcom Educational Credit Union members. Businesses and clubs who made a cash contribution over $250 include, Industrial Credit Union, Toolhouse Design Company, Kiwanis Club of Lake Whatcom, Kiwanis Club of Bellingham, Key Bank, Anvil Corporation, Ascot Products, Hawley’s Auto Parts in Ferndale and employees at BP Cherry Point Refinery.
The Opportunity Council’s School Supply Drive supports families in the agency’s Homeless Housing programs. The agency also shares donated supplies with Blue Skies for Children and the Readiness-to-Learn programs in Whatcom County schools who distribute supplies to children in very low income households.
The Opportunity Council is a private, non-profit, community action agency governed by a volunteer board of directors equally representing the private, public and low-income sectors of Island, San Juan and Whatcom counties.
McIntyre Hall receives grant for operations, programming
McIntyre Hall, a performing arts venue in Skagit County, has received a grant of $19,120.96 from the Skagit Performing Arts Council (SPAC) in support of operations and programming. The funds were raised at SPAC’s Rick Epting Memorial auction, Arts After Dark, which was held in May to support McIntyre Hall and performing arts advocacy in Skagit County.
The annual event also raised $11,000 – including a $5,000 matching grant from the Skagit Community Foundation – to provide busing to performing arts events for Skagit County youth.
McIntyre Hall, owned by the Skagit Regional Public Facilities District and operated by Skagit Valley College, is a state-of-the-art performing arts and conference facility providing the area with arts and entertainment, banquet and meeting facilities, and support services. The mission of SPAC is to support, to coordinate, and to advocate for the performing arts in Skagit County.
Shell Puget Sound Refinery hosts open house
Shell Puget Sound Refinery hosted its community open house on Aug. 26. Members of the community were invited to come to the refinery, which is located on South Texas Road in Anacortes, at March’s Point. The event featured free food and entertainment for all ages, refinery tours, information booths from several local businesses, as well as treats and games for children.
“This is a way for us to open our doors to the community so that they can learn more about what we do here,” said Sue Krienen, general manager of Shell Puget Sound Refinery. “This event is one opportunity we have to thank the community for its continued support.”
Ferndale Cost Cutter honored by school district
For the second time, Ferndale Cost Cutter has been selected as the Ferndale School District Business of the Year.
The award, for the 2005-06 school year, was presented at the school board’s meeting in June to store manager Norm Mack. The store was chosen for the award in 2002 as well.
According to the district, a business that is recognized has made significant contributions to the students of Ferndale schools. Among the contributions cited in the award were the store’s yearlong support of Ferndale High ASB, leadership kids and the football team’s first state title.
Company representatives met with parent-teacher organizations throughout the district to raise funds through Box Tops for Education, as well as providing refreshments to events including the Math Olympiad, culminating graduation projects and administration meetings.
The store donated coupons and support for youth recognition on a regular basis, and provided support for the school bond/levy in the past year.
Ferndale Cost Cutter’s parent organization, Brown & Cole Stores, received the award in 1986.
Smith Barney encourages clients to go paperless
Smith Barney’s Bellingham office is pleased to announce that it will be participating in the firm’s nationwide “Plant a Tree/E-Delivery” campaign, which encourages clients to stop paper account statements and switch to online E-Delivery service in an effort to raise environmental awareness by planting trees in national forests and communities in need.
Held in conjunction with the National Arbor Day Foundation (NADF), a non-profit, environmental education organization, for each client who enrolls in the firm’s E-Delivery service Smith Barney will recognize the contribution to the environment through the donation, in his or her name, whereby NADF will plant a tree in one of three national forests including: The Huron-Manistee National Forest in Michigan; the Ocala National Forest in Florida; the Sequoia National Forest in California; or in a Katrina-affected region of the Gulf Coast.
“This partnership is a win-win as it gives us an opportunity to not only save trees but to also give back to the communities where we live and work.” Mark Logan, senior vice president, branch manager of Smith Barney’s Bellingham office commented. “As a member of Citigroup, the Bellingham office is enthusiastic about the success of our participation in this initiative and proud that our firm continues to make great strides in areas that were affected by Hurricane Katrina and other natural disasters.”
“Smith Barney’s efforts to reduce paper usage, while planting trees in our nation’s forests and communities in need, show a true commitment to creating a healthier, greener planet,” added John Rosenow, president of The National Arbor Day Foundation. “The company’s efforts will result in hundreds of thousands of dollars in economic and environmental benefits while beautifying America’s communities and treasured national forests.”
Smith Barney is committed to making a positive impact on the environment through the planting and conservation of thousands of trees. Providing statements online will not only reduce the production of paper, but also cut back on gas and water consumption, greenhouse gases, carbon monoxide emissions and solid waste.
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