Philanthropist Breakfast

Gratitude, Humor Greet Stanwood-Camano Philanthropists

150 guests, joined by keynote speaker Graham Kerr, honored local philanthropists at a February 6th awards breakfast hosted by the Stanwood-Camano Area Foundation.  Graham Kerr jump-started the event with a motivational address focused on encouragement. “How do you know when a person needs encouragement?”  Kerr said, “When they’re breathing.”  Kerr then advised the audience to “make local connections, buy local, support and encourage your neighbors” as a way to raise spirits and improve the local economy.

Local philanthropists Jeanie Ovenell (tireless Stanwood-Camano Food Bank volunteer), Greg & Irene Stewart (consistent community supporters), the Family of Robert & Marion Nicholas (founders of Stanwood Hardware), and Karen Hamalainen, Asko Hamalainen and Sandra & Gary Worthington (who made Cama Beach State Park possible) received a standing ovation from the audience and gifts from the Foundation.

The Family of Robert and Marion Nicholas (represented by their sons Jack and Walt) were honored as the 2009 Stanwood-Camano Area Foundation Philanthropists of the Year.

Philanthropists such as these support our environment, youth, education, the arts - and more - to enable a better future for all.  They do this without thought of their own reward, but rather for the good of the community as a whole.  The Philanthropist of the Year award has been created by the Foundation to show the community’s appreciation for their generosity.

The Foundation would like to thank breakfast sponsor Coastal Community Bank and the following individuals and businesses for their support of the Awards Breakfast: Allie Beebe, Oisteen Boge for the Cheryl Jett-Boge Scholarship, Chris & Pam Fredericksen, Designs Northwest Architects, Frank Butler, Hallie Price, Jeff Lind, Jerry Van Vliet, Laura Byers, Maxx & Anne Belovich, Stanwood Lions Club, Starbucks, Terry Greer, Wayne Mouat, and Whidbey Island Bank.

Special thank-you’s also go out to Nathan Haugan and his team from the Stanwood High School Leadership Club for keeping the coffee flowing, and to the Project Serve Team for their help cleaning up!