Kathy McLaughlin

 
 April 11, 2012  Posted by Kathy McLaughlin No Responses »

You are invited to learn more about our new Fresh Food on the Table program at Good Cheer. Join us at the Whidbey Institute on April 21st for dinner, auction and square dance. The dinner is no cost but please come ready to donate what you can afford. Space is limited so please RSVP to kathy@goodcheer.org or call 221-0130.

For more information about the event and this innovative program, please visit our Garden Blog at http://goodcheergarden.wordpress.com/.

Check out this video too. http://vimeo.com/40125086

 

 
 February 18, 2012  Posted by Kathy McLaughlin No Responses »

2011 was a year of challenges. While the number of individual clients continued to fall from the 2009 peak the need for support from the food bank actually increased as more families were feeling the pinch of a slow economy.

The Food Bank served 3,330 people last year, with an average of 842 families helped per month. Twenty eight percent of our clients were children, 11% were senior citizens, with 146 homeless people also being served.

Good Cheer begins its 50thyear of service to the community with a foundation that could not be any stronger. This summer we celebrated reaching our goal for the Good Cheer Capital Campaign. The generous support of individuals, community businesses, service organizations, and regional foundations made it possible. The renovation of the Langley Thrift Store will positively impact the community by providing a greater amount of affordable clothes and household goods, and by increasing profits to support the Good Cheer Food Bank.

The use of thrift stores to provide the funding for the organization is quite unique. The revenues that flow through the thrift stores enable our organization to function and to provide the numerous programs that benefit our clients and community.

The Good Cheer Thrift Stores recorded record sales with an increase of close to 4% even though the store in Langley was undergoing a major renovation.

This year will mark 50 years of progress and making a difference in people’s lives. There are many that we have helped who have come back to support the food bank or volunteer their time and that is a wonderful circle of life.

We need to keep in mind the importance of how far we have come over this last half a century and what support we are now capable of offering our community.

Item donations to the food bank increased by 25% even though there were additional agencies soliciting for business on the south end of the Island.

Food donations jumped by 9% to a total of 342,153 lbs., and accounted for nearly half of the 778,913 lbs. of food distributed in 2011. These food donations are valuable since they allow us to add variety to food items that Good Cheer purchases in bulk.

Monetary donations continue to be the primary source for keeping our shelves full.

Monetary donations go to buy food and the recessionary environment that we find ourselves in has resulted in a 37-percent increase in the amount of money Good Cheer is spending on food. Good Cheer has continued to make use of a fundraising strategy that will increase the cash Good Cheer brings in and the events are fun for the community.

Volunteers are what make Good Cheer work and this last year we had almost record numbers for hours worked. Volunteering is the ultimate form of giving. It is sharing what we value with others without counting on the reciprocal expectation of recognition or gratitude. As Elbert Einstein so wisely puts it; “The value of man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving.”

 The Good Cheer Food Bank was established in 1962 and was South Whidbey’s first charity. It serves a population of nearly 16,000. Good Cheer is run by 13 staff members and nearly 350 volunteers, and is governed by a 15-member board.

 Thanks for you continued support and gracious giving.

Good Cheer!

 
 February 13, 2012  Posted by Kathy McLaughlin 4 Responses »

The Thriving Communities Conference was a great success and an opportunity to learn what other communities are doing.

Here is a story about the Green Bronx Machine and Steven Ritz a science teacher at Discovery High School in the Bronx.

Steven started bringing plants into the classroom in order to give his students a hands on lesson. But what began as a science teacher’s teaching tool grew into a mission to make the entire borough eat and grow healthy food.

The biology and earth science teacher began using farming and gardening in his classes in 2005. Back then, Ritz said he used to take his classes outside to clean up abandoned lots and plant gardens. “We cleaned up 35-50 cubic yards of trash and ended up growing 3,000-5,000 pounds of food,” Ritz said. In addition, Ritz said that the students involved in what was then called the Green Team, went from skipping half of their classes to graduating on time.

Ritz utilizes a unique gardening technology created by Green Living Technologies in Boston, in which the students plant seeds in vertical shelves; it’s like creating a green wall of food.

Here is a video of Bronx students from the Discovery HS installing a green roof as part of the hands on Green Living Technologies training program.

The project became more than just growing stuff; it was about keeping the kids off the streets and helping them find something to do. They were learning about responsibility and how to take care of something.

“We’re not just growing vegetables, we’re growing citizens and engaged communities,” Ritz said.

Ritz said Green Bronx Machine is the youngest certified workforce in America. Students who wish to join the workforce can participate in a training program, sponsored by Green Living Technologies, in order to become certified workers. The training program has three components: academic, vocational and field work.

Green Bronx Machine’s sidewalk sale! Student grown plants generate serious income and learning opportunities. They look great too!

“It’s about green minds, green hearts, green jobs, and green technology,” Ritz says. “We are trying to transform the borough. Bronx County has the highest number of food stamps in New York State,” Ritz explained. “People can use these food stamps to buy edible plants and create a self sustaining indoor garden.” Ritz and his Green Bronx Machine hope to get everyone in the Bronx eating and growing healthy foods.

Who knew Green Bronx gardening could be so easy?

Six months ago these young men couldn’t and wouldn’t sit around a table together. Today, these young men, from distinct and diverse backgrounds work as one team with a singular purpose and vision; to transform the mindsets and landscapes of America while building their future and a whole new economy.

Pretty amazing what is going on in our world!

Good Cheer!

 
 November 3, 2011  Posted by Kathy McLaughlin No Responses »

The Holiday season is drawing near and Good Cheer, with your help, will be spreading happiness. Good Cheer’s No Points Holiday Meal Program will continue because of the support that we receive from our community. Many food banks in Western Washington can’t offer a holiday meal program because their budgets have been cut at the federal, state, and county levels.

This is unfortunate since new poverty data to be released next week will show that the ranks of America’s poorest poor have climbed to a record high, one in fifteen people. About 20.5 million Americans, or 6.7 percent of the U.S. population, make up the poorest poor, defined as those at 50 percent or less of the official poverty level. Those living in deep poverty represent nearly half of the 46.2 million people scraping by below the poverty line. In 2010, the poorest poor meant an income of $5,570 or less for an individual and $11,157 for a family of four.

It’s nice to know that we can have an impact on so many people at just the right time of year. Together we can make a difference.

The Holiday season is a time of giving and it is our hope that you will be able to help us with your donations. Remember, for every dollar donated the food bank is able to purchase about nine dollars worth of food; we have a great creative shopping program!

Good Cheer has developed an innovative food points system which empowers clients to choose their own foods in a grocery-like setting using monthly points based upon household size. Selection of fresh produce is encouraged through low points for these healthful items. The Good Cheer garden which is tended by  community volunteers provides fresh-picked produce.

Holiday meals can be expensive for our clients and the ability to provide some good cheer with a zero points holiday meal is a way of making the Holiday season a little more fun for everyone.

Food Bank coordinator Damien Cortez and a crew of volunteers stocking our walk-in freezers with frozen turkeys!

The grocery at Good Cheer will have special Holiday displays full of supplies for our clients to cook a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. The shopping list will include turkey, stuffing (1bag/box), pumpkin (small can), yams (small can), cranberry (small can), gravy (1 can or package), rolls, and celery. This food is in addition to a household’s normal monthly food points.

There is another group on Whidbey Island that brings happiness on Thanksgiving Day. The Mobile Turkey Unit is a community service organization that has been with us since 1999. It was founded by Tom Arhontas, who had a special place in his heart for people in need. The goal of the Mobile Turkey Unit is to provide a free, home delivered, Thanksgiving meal for those who would otherwise not have one. This includes the elderly, shut-ins, low-income and unemployed people, plus employees working on Thanksgiving day on South and Central Whidbey.

This year they expect to provide Thanksgiving meals to at least 200 families on South and Central Whidbey Island. There are more than 150 volunteers in the program, a lot of people sharing from their hearts.

There is a story of a young girl who saw a Mobile Turkey Unit driver pull into her family’s driveway. She ran out into the driveway shouting, “Mommy, mommy! The turkey is here! Thanksgiving is here!”

We can work together and make the Holiday season brighter!

Please help us with your donations! You can drop donations off at the Good Cheer Food Bank at 2812 Grimm Rd. in Bayview or you can phone us at  360-221-6454.

Love, Peace and Happiness to All!

 
 October 25, 2011  Posted by Kathy McLaughlin No Responses »

Halloween is just around the corner and we’re having another scarecrow contest. We need you judges to vote on your favorite scarecrow by visiting a Good Cheer Thrift Store or Good Cheer’s Facebook page, you can see all of the great scarecrows that were created and vote for your favorite!

Good Cheer is All About You!

The Good Cheer Food Bank is only as good as the community that it is part of.  It is from this community that we find volunteers, charitable givers and businesses that have put their hearts into making Good Cheer the success that it is.  Last year we provided you with links to some of the organizations that helped Good Cheer in 2010 the links below are for the first 10 months of  2011. These people and organizations make this community work. You can read each individual post by just clicking on your photo of choice. I’m sure that we have missed someone but you all know that you are in our hearts and minds.

Mother of All Talent Shows II – Thank You All

Good Cheer Garden Shed Raffle

Community Effort!

The Paint Escape

Vacation Bible School Helping Good Cheer!

Trinity Lutheran Church Fisherwomen!

That’s You Again – Thanks!

The Quintessa on Whidbey Island Helping Good Cheer!

For those who are struggling “Don’t Quit”

Click on the photo above and you can read a wonderful poem about never quitting.  Good Cheer, like all of you who help, is here to enable people and families.

Together we all bring Good Cheer!

Donations can be made here.

 
 October 4, 2011  Posted by Kathy McLaughlin No Responses »

The Quintessa on Whidbey Island is celebrating the season of giving with a Good Cheer Special! Your stay at The Quintessa, in November, will be half-off the regular rate and your entire accommodation fee will be donated to the Good Cheer Food Bank. Yes, you can just write your check out to Good Cheer. You’ll need to book your stay in the month of October to qualify for the Good Cheer Special.

A standard 3 night minimum stay is required – customary cleaning, deposits, insurance & hospitality tax applicable.) The standard booking commissions paid to professional travel agents & Realtors of 10% will be waived in this arrangement.

As Carrie Fong and Tessa Huey, the owners of The Quintessa, explained “That time of year will soon be upon us again when we give and give thanks in November during Thanksgiving!”

The Quintessa Cottage

Their story of giving is as unique and inspiring as is their connection to the food bank. Their daughter Holly is a senior at South Whidbey High School where she belongs to many community service clubs. She is co-president of S-Club a high school version of  the Soroptimist International of South Whidbey Islandthe vice-president of Key Club, and has been a member of the National Honor Society for the last three years. Holly regularly volunteers at the Good Cheer Food Bank and Thrift Store, Hearts and Hammer of South Whidbey Island, Habitat for Humanity, the Seattle Compass Center, and works with many other local community service organizations.

Main Living Room The Quintessa  (Photo credit  Stadler Studio Photography)

Holly was recognized for her volunteer work by the Soroptimists of South Whidbey and presented the Violet Richardson award, a $500 scholarship award to be used for her college education. This award was a matching award where Holly chose to donate another $500 to the Good Cheer Food Bank. As I told Holly, $500 in cash is closer to $3500 with our use of coupons. Wow!

(Photo credit  Stadler Studio Photography)

This is where this giving thing gets interesting……not sure that many of us would choose to take this path. Once you read this you will know that you are in good hands at The Quintessa!

Carrie and Tessa are raising three children and it is very apparent that their family has had a big impact on their lives. The family has members in California and Hawaii; they are close-knit and believe in giving. Every Christmas instead of giving presents to each member of the family they do community service. They draw family names and send a letter telling of their family’s experience in helping their community. In December of 2008, that community service was done at the Good Cheer Food Bank……

(Photo credit  Stadler Studio Photography)

Let’s get the word out! This remarkably easy-to-find home is less than 35 miles from the Seattle, Washington and just 5 minutes away from the Clinton ferry.

Spacious & elegant, this multi-level home with over 12,000 sq. ft. features 9 bedrooms along with a separate garden cottage.

Breathtaking views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains complete your experience!

The Quintessa is located within minutes to many attractions including a nine-hole golf course straight out of the Scottish Highlands, a variety of beaches, and an abundance of local artists’ studios.  Take a drive to nearby Langley ~ The Village by the Sea, featuring a vintage movie house, live music and theater, eclectic boutiques, art galleries, antique shops, bookstores, and fabulous food!

Please let your friends know about this unique property which is able to accommodate up to 32 guests comfortably. Perfectly suited for intimate weddings, family reunions and corporate retreats, the Quintessa onSouth Whidbey is the place to make your memories for Thanksgiving with your out-of-town family and friends!

Call Tessa or Carrie at 425-263-1700 or email thequintessa@gmail.com

Good Cheer!

 
 September 15, 2011  Posted by Kathy McLaughlin No Responses »

This Sunday, September 18th, at 7:00 PM, there will be a benefit concert held at the South Whidbey Assembly of God, located at 5373 Maxwelton Road just outside of Langley.

This benefit, for the Good Cheer Food Bank, is being organized by Daniel Estill. Daniel is a senior at South Whidbey High and one of his graduation requirements is a Culminating Project. The project challenges high school seniors to demonstrate their academic knowledge. Daniel, whose passion is music, has chosen to organize and perform a benefit concert with The Third Light Band.

Daniel and his friends Colton Justus, Chris Bates and Sara Miholland are The Third Light Band, South Whidbey Assembly of God’s youth band. Earlier this year the band raised $1000 at a benefit concert helping the homeless on South Whidbey Island.

There will be a short presentation by a representative from the Good Cheer Food Bank followed by a performance by the band. Desserts and beverages will be provided.

Daniel and his band are asking that you bring non-perishable food items, slightly used or new clothing or just a monetary donation.

Good Cheer gives thanks to Daniel, his friends and the South Whidbey Assembly of God for their support.

Good Cheer!

 
 September 12, 2011  Posted by Kathy McLaughlin 2 Responses »

To view the Slideshow just click the above photo. There is a button in the slideshow, lower right, and you can go to full screen.

What a great community!

Thank you all!

Good Cheer…

 
 September 7, 2011  Posted by Kathy McLaughlin 2 Responses »

Good Cheer’s 3rd Annual Harvest Party & Music Fest is this Saturday, September 10th at Bayview from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Admission is Free.

Saturday will be a day full of music and fun for everyone. Special guest, Graham Kerr, the Galloping Gourmet, will be talking about his book and sharing his growing love of backyard gardening.

This is a video from 1966 longer than I usually post, just click the photo below.

Graham will be conducting workshops and signing books in the garden from 11 a.m. until 12 p.m. and will be on stage to speak to us from noon until 12:45 p.m.

Local musicians will entertain, we will have kid’s activities (with prizes),  and raffle drawings. There will be tacos, root beer floats and the now annual Chef Cook Off event. You can also attend one of our many garden workshops or take a tour of the food bank so that you’ll have a better understanding of how Good Cheer serves the needy of South Whidbey.

Master of Ceremonies Jim Freeman; he is always there for us and does a great job!

Here is the performance schedule, as expected,  for this years Harvest Party and Music Fest:

The Good Cheer Singers

From the left Rita Burns (Good Cheer Operations Manager), Kathy McLaughlin (Good Cheer Executive Director), Kay Stanley (Good Cheer Board Member) and our Bandleader playing guitar Diane Fraser.

The Good Cheer Singers will be playing their rendition of  ”We Are Family”.

Julie Mae Pigott

Julie is an adult and children’s singer, songwriter and entertainer who has been playing music with others for over 30 years. Her most recent work has been singing sacred chant music with the Bhajan group Shakti. She has performed in Alaska and Western Washington. Julie has played in programs at the Sno-Isle Libraries and Benaroya Hall to support Operation Sack Lunch.

Warm Hearts 

Dinah Stinson and Linda Edeling

Natasha & Nicole 

Natasha (Bass) and Nic (Guitar and Vocals) have been playing music together since October of 2010.  This is only the second time that they have not performed without their full band “For the Birds” although Nic has played the Harvest Festival the past two years as a solo performer.  The girls play gigs with For the Birds in Seattle,Tacoma, Anacortes, locally on Whidbey, and at various private venues.  They hope to continue their musical path throughout their journeys through life.

Graham Kerr

Graham will share the experiences of his kitchen garden and pass on some tips that he picked up along the way. He will bring along his book, Growing at the Speed of Life, which is his story about becoming a cook for healthier living. “You can eat plants in more creative ways”. As he says and “Dig your own garden. There’s nothing more rewarding. Do it in the company of your neighbors. Green the neighborhood.”

Sounds like the GoodCheerGarden!

Graham has a website and a blog that you can explore by clicking here.

The Dandelion Family String Band  

The Dandelion Family String Band is a father, son, daughter trio from Whidbey Island, Washington.  Harrison Keating plays the fiddle and performs vocal while Megan Keating  plays the cello and the banjo. Their father Pete Keating plays the guitar, banjo and performs vocals. They started making music together in the spring of 2010 and have performed at various festivals and events in Western Washington over the past year.  The group especially enjoys performing early and contemporary folk classics in addition to their own brand of original material.

Piper Reva 

Photo Credit Robbie Cribbs of SoundTrap Studios -- Freeland

Piper Reva is an original act, with theatrical flare, singing with a soul on fire. She’s a Warrior Princess Wordsmith. Her tunes are heart-wrenching, comical, pure and playful, ranging from the dark caverns of love-gone-wrong, tales of the road and strangers met along the way, to the sweet sunny fields of gratitude.

She plays a hand-painted guitar, wears many hats, and is guaranteed to bust out some abstract improv with the audience. Her voice is as dynamic as they come, with seductive kitten purrs and freight train howls, devoted to rip you to pieces and put you back together again like a Humpty Dumpty Soul Revival.

She now resides in The Dragon’s Tail of Whidbey Island, Washington. Piper, nick-named “Piperoo” as a child, is also an established visionary painter and photographer with artworks in galleries and homes throughout the United States.

Riva will be playing locally at the 1904 Public House and on Friday, September 9th and again at the Meerkerk Garden Fest Sunday October 2nd from noon to 2 p.m. Piper will have 2 different albums for sale at Good Cheer.

The Muse & The Eye 

The Muse and Eye is a country/folk duo fromWhidbey Island. The group combines the singing and songwriting talents of Russell Clepper and the vocal talents of Sarah Dial Primrose to deliver music in a genre that Russell has described as flatland folk or buffalo grass music or vague country. Russell  has performed from Quebec City and Montreal to New York City, most of the Mid West, all overTexas, and much of Western Washington.

Sarah’s parents grew up in West Virginia where she listened to her grandparents and other relatives sing old Appalachian ballads and laments.  Later on, she performed both solo and as a much sought after vocal accompanist to up-and-coming folk singers on open mic stages in New York City, most notably at the legendary Gerdy’s Folk City.

They are big supporters of the food bank. “The Good Cheer Harvest and Music Fest event is a community celebration we are proud and honored to be a part of.  The thrift stores, the food bank, the staff and all the volunteers deserve our heart felt thanks and recognition for what they do here on South Whidbey”.

Swinging Nettles

Steve Showell, Joanne Rouse and Judy Magidson

Karin Blaine  

Indie-folk powerhouse, Karin Blaine, describes her show and music as a ”liza-minelli-meets-bob-dylan-kind-of-experience”.  A complete original in her songwriting and stage persona ,Blaine maximizes the potential of one voice and one guitar to provide her listeners with the ‘goods’ emotionally and musically.

You can listen to Karin by clicking the above photo!

A seasoned performer, Blaine has played Seattle’s Bumbershoot, Passim’s in Boston, the Crypt in New York City. She was a songwriting finalist at the Kerrville Folk Festival in Kerrville, Texas and appeared on many PNW radio stations. Karin is a WICA 2012 LOCAL ARTIST winner and will bring her show to the WICA stage on March 16, 2012 inLangley.

She has also created “The Power of YOU in Songwriting” workshops to support self-expression and creativity in aspiring songwriters. If you ever thought of being a songwriter Karin is presenting a beginning level ‘HOW TO WRITE A SONG’ workshop through CCE (Coupeville Continuing Education) on Sept. 28th at the Coupeville Middle School.  Clicking here will get you there.

Open Mic and Good Cheer Announcements

Hey, this is going to be one great day of fun!

See You There!

Good Harvest and Good Cheer!

 
 June 10, 2011  Posted by Kathy McLaughlin No Responses »

Megan Parker and Damien – Megan was one of the youngest to perform at the talent show. Damien and her were united again after having performed in a performance of Oliver earlier this year.

The show was a great success with over $5000 being raised for the food bank.

JaNoah and Damien put on a great talent show with sterling reviews from all around town. JaNoah solicited the prizes for the raffle and Damien coordinated sales and the awarding of prizes, quite a team!

RJ Barker was honored for his volunteer commitment to Good Cheer. He was then very surprised by a job offer to work at Good Cheer for the summer as a paid staff person. RJ is always the epitome of the tireless worker/volunteer at Good Cheer. He has worked in the distribution, office, food bank and thrift stores.

Rep. Norma Smith and JaNoah Spratt preparing for their appearance.

The original Talent Show idea came from a conversation between Norma and JaNoah during a tour of the Food Bank. Norma was not able to be at last year’s event but was here this year to sing Broken Road and lead the audience in a round of Happy Birthday for JaNoah’s 11th birthday. JaNoah was also the recipient of the Island Youth Hero award which he received last month.

Aljean and Dean Muncey: Always ready to pop the corn and make the world smell better. Aljean and Dean gave the evening that movie theater scent that brought everyone to the concessions, Yummy.

Tiger Martial Arts is always entertaining with their disciplined routines. JaNoah”s sensai Wendy Barker is also RJ Barker’s mom. The Barker family is very supportive of Good Cheer.

Volunteers baked and sold a variety of treats from cheese and crackers to popcorn.

Viriginia Linsey and Janet Karamanyan wore their Good Cheer finds with pride. They displayed the purchase price so people could see what the saving are at the Good Cheer Thrift Stores.

A Great Night and We Thank You for Your Support!

Good Cheer!