There have been a plethora of fundraising events in the Sky Valley that have raised money for victims of the Oso tragedy, but Sky Valley Senior Center volunteers Bonita Aadlund and Marlene Carlson wanted to make sure that somebody was looking out for the seniors.
They decided to donate all the funds generated from their April 5 pancake breakfast to the Darrington Senior Center, whose members have been greatly impacted by the landslide due to the subsequent closure of S.R. 530. All told, the breakfast, which is an entirely volunteer-driven effort, served 118 guests and raised a total of $510 dollars.
"They're hurting up there and we were so thankful we were able to do something for them,GÇ¥ said Carlson.
The pancake breakfast is held on the first Saturday of each month and features a complete smorgasbord of breakfast offerings.
"You get your choice of pancakes, waffles or French toast, ham, sausage, eggs, fruit and juice,GÇ¥ said Aadlund. "If we have any goodies we put those out. It just depends on what we have available.GÇ¥
Carlson and Aadlund decided to deliver the funds themselves, along with another Sky Valley Senior Center volunteer. They made the trip up to Darrington, which now necessitates taking either I5 or S.R. 9 to Sedro Woolley and connecting to S.R. 20. From there, drivers have to connect with S.R. 530 near Rockport, and follow it south to Darrington. The additional time and distance for commuters is significant.
"Most of-áthe-áseniors up there are fixed income so the gas is a real concern for them,GÇ¥ said Carlson.
"That's what the manager told me on the way out,GÇ¥ said Aadlund. "She said most of this will go towards gas for seniors.GÇ¥
Carlson explained that many seniors have physicians located in Arlington, Marysville and sometimes even Everett.
"That's an enormous amount of gas, let alone the hours,GÇ¥ said Carlson. "It hits home with me because I was born and raised in Arlington. I lived in Darrington at one time.GÇ¥
Carlson and Aadlund said that they are extremely grateful to all those who attended the breakfast and allowed them to make such a generous contribution.
"We really want to thank the community for the support that they gave us,GÇ¥ said Aadlund.
The Sky Valley Senior Center is located at 617 1st St. in Sultan, in the large A-frame building. The pancake breakfast, which runs on the first Saturday of every month from 8 a.m. until noon, is open to the public and admission is $5.
The senior center also features a hot lunch program, which is held weekly from Monday through Thursday. Lunches are served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and are also open to the public. The price for a hot lunch is $4 for senior center members and $6 for non-members. That extra $2 helps the center continue to fund the program. To donate to the Sky Valley Senior Center, please call (360) 793-2400.
Other Sky Valley fundraisers included Bubba's Roadhouse in Sultan, which raised over $400, and JD Slick's Bar & Eatery, which raised $2,000. Gold Bar resident Ray Coleman baked "Chocolate CrackleGÇ¥ cookies for a fundraising effort spearheaded by Gold Bar resident Leon Skinner, with Gold Bar Mayor Linda Loen also participating.
Local equestrian enthusiast Bonnie Davis coordinated her "Ride for the SlideGÇ¥ event that generated over $3,500. The event was held at the Sky Valley Equestrian Center and was a collaborative effort. Davis thanked all those who helped support her event including; Laine Berkeley, Bridget Richardson, Kevin and Wendi Montgomery, Michelle Neville, Chelsea Green, Andrea Scheffer, Maurene Donaldson MacDonald, Jeannie Schwartz, Andy Johnson, Ilene Roberts, Martha Nicholas and Heidi Pace Davalos.
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