Issaquah Democrat Mark Mullet joins state Senate
November 30, 2012
State Supreme Court Chief Justice Barbara Madsen (left) administers the oath of office to state Sen. Mark Mullet, D-Issaquah, in the Senate chamber Friday. Contributed
NEW — 4:05 p.m. Nov. 30, 2012
Issaquah City Councilman Mark Mullet joined the state Senate on Friday afternoon, 45 days before other freshman lawmakers convene in Olympia for the 2013 legislative session.
Santa Claus collects gifts at charity-focused cash mob
November 27, 2012
Al Krush returns as Santa Claus for a charity-focused cash mob Dec. 5 at Gilman Village’s White Horse Toys. File
Santa Claus is coming to town — to a cash mob, to be exact.
The next cash mob is due to descend on Gilman Village’s White Horse Toys on Dec. 5, just in time for the pre-Christmas rush. The event is meant to reflect the holiday spirit, because organizers asked cash mob participants to purchase something for themselves, and something extra for charity.
In a cash mob, a group of people descends on a business to buy, buy, buy. The destination is revealed through social media services. Then, the mob pops up at the business to browse and shop.
The 20- and 30-something business leaders in the Issaquah Chamber of Commerce — Young Issaquah Professionals, or YIPPIES for short — modeled the cash mob on similar events elsewhere.
The concept for the upcoming cash mob is BOGO — buy one, give one — and customers can donate toys to the Wounded Warrior Project. The toys then go to children of military personnel killed or wounded in action.
Issaquah Turkey Trot raises more than $25,000 for food bank
November 27, 2012
Runners set out from the starting line Nov. 22 at the Issaquah Turkey Trot 5K, a holiday fundraiser for the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank. Contributed
For the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank’s largest fundraiser all year, the Issaquah Turkey Trot, Heather Matthews set out to raise $15,000 to stock the shelves.
Instead, in a bountiful Thanksgiving haul, she collected more than $25,000 for the food bank, topping the goal and the previous races last year and in 2010.
On Thanksgiving, before the feast, about 1,500 people joined the Issaquah Turkey Trot 5K to raise money for the food bank and burn some pre-meal calories.
Many participants donned holiday-themed attire, including a pair of runners dressed head to toe as Thanksgiving turkeys.
Demand is high at food banks in Issaquah, statewide
November 23, 2012
NEW — 8 a.m. Nov. 23, 2012
Demand is high at food banks across Washington, according to the latest figures from the state Department of Agriculture, and officials urged residents to donate to local food assistance programs.
The figures from the state agency show 1 in 5 Washington residents visited a food bank at least once during the past year. Between June 2011 and June 2012, officials recorded more than 8.6 million visits to food banks statewide — 500,000 more visits than in the previous year, according to the figures collected by the agency’s Food Assistance Program.
“These numbers show that, in the coming holiday season, we can expect that food assistance programs will be stretched to meet the need in many communities,” Director Dan Newhouse said in a statement.
The agency’s Food Assistance Program uses state and federal funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide food and money to food banks, meal programs and tribal voucher programs in Washington.
Eastside Fire & Rescue launches food, gift drive
November 20, 2012
Eastside Fire & Rescue is joining local businesses for a holiday season food and gift drive set to start on Black Friday.
The agency, Issaquah-based First Due Movers and Fred Meyer plan to collect food, clothing and toys from Nov. 23-25 in Lake Sammamish Center at Fred Meyer, 6100 E. Lake Sammamish Parkway S.E. Items donated during the drive go to the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank and the Mount Si Helping Hand Food Bank in North Bend.
Kiwanis Club of Issaquah coat drive continues
November 20, 2012
For some people trying to keep the rent paid and the electricity on, the need for a warm coat or new shoes goes to the bottom on the list.
Residents can help by cleaning out their closets and donating new or gently used shoes and coats through the Kiwanis Club of Issaquah’s annual drive.
The coat and shoe drive runs through Nov. 30. All donations go to the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank. Donations should be cleaned before donating. All sizes from toddler to adult are welcome.
Issaquah cash mob aims to stock food bank
November 13, 2012
The indefatigable team behind recent cash mobs at Issaquah businesses is asking consumers to shop BOGO — buy one and, in a holiday season change-up, give one.
The next cash mob is due to descend on specialty grocer Champion Grocery on Nov. 17, and organizers encourage shoppers to buy something for themselves, and something extra for the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank.
In a cash mob, a group of people descends on a business to buy, buy, buy. The destination is revealed through social media services. Then, the mob pops up at the business to browse and shop.
Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank holiday program helps children
November 13, 2012
The holiday season can be a stressful time for families struggling through a difficult financial situation.
But the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank is doing its part to bring holiday cheer to all through its holiday gift-giving program.
Caring Through Sharing ensures that families in need get to experience the joy of the holiday season and that each child has a present to open.
“It’s not in our mission necessarily to do holiday gifts for families; we’re really focused on basic needs, but we see this as a really important part of our community,” said Cori Kauk, executive director at the food bank.
Thanksgiving fundraiser aims to stuff food bank’s coffers
November 6, 2012
Runners race in the 2011 Issaquah Turkey Trot 5K near Pickering Barn during the holiday event. Contributed
Heather Matthews set out to raise dollars for the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank amid the busy holiday season and, in the process, created a Thanksgiving tradition.
In 2010, she launched the Issaquah Turkey Trot, a 5K fundraiser, after she ran in similar races in Seattle and decided to import the idea to Issaquah to raise dollars for the local food bank.
The 3.12-mile race returns Nov. 22 for another holiday outing. The event is geared for families and, like a treasured recipe passed from generation, is a Thanksgiving tradition for some participants.
“People are looking for a way to give back and for something to do that day that shows they’re thankful for what they have,” Matthews said.
The initial Issaquah Turkey Trot raised more than $4,600 for the nonprofit food bank and, last year, donations amounted to $8,000 and more than 200 pounds of food. Matthews set a goal to raise $15,000 for the food bank at the upcoming event.
Kiwanis Club of Issaquah coat drive opens
November 6, 2012
For some people trying to keep the rent paid and the electricity on, the need for a warm coat or new shoes goes to the bottom on the list.
Residents can help by cleaning out their closets and donating new or gently used shoes and coats through the Kiwanis Club of Issaquah’s annual drive.
