Boys and girls club gets big donation

The Northern Light is published weekly by Point Roberts Press Inc.

Locally owned and managed, the company also publishes the All Point Bulletin, covering Point Roberts, Mount Baker Experience, covering the Mt. Baker foothills area, Pacific Coast Weddings annual guide, and the summer recreation guide Waterside as well as maps and other publications. Point Roberts Press Inc. is a member of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association, Chambers of Commerce of Bellingham/ Whatcom County, Birch Bay, Blaine and Point Roberts and the Bellingham/ Whatcom County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

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Contributors In This Issue Doug Dahl, Mike Kent

The Northern Light 225 Marine Drive, Suite 200, Blaine, WA 98230 Tel: 360/332-1777 Vol XXVII, No 8 Circulation: 10,500 copies Circulation Independently verified by:

Next issue: Aug. 12 Ads due: Aug. 6 Post 86 Legion Riders fundraise with BBQ

s American Legion Post 86 Riders hosted a BBQ fundraiser July 30 for the legion’s Christmas baskets given to veterans in the community. Last year, the group raised enough money to fund over 50 baskets. From l; Bryon Moler, Carl Bennett, Chris McBride, James Brown and Mark Waslohn. Photo by Grace McCarthy

Letters

The Editor:

I’m a Renton resident who has visited Point Roberts on many occasions in the distant past, with many fond memories of this unique enclave of Washington state.

Today I contacted my U.S. Congress member, Adam Smith, on behalf of Point Roberts residents and property owners. I expressed my concern about the ongoing saga of Covid-related border restrictions facing your community. I cannot begin to comprehend the suffering experienced by the Point Roberts community, but I have been staying informed of events and, quite literally, praying on behalf of your community.

I regard those of you who live in, or own property in, Point Roberts as Washingtonians. It is my fervent hope that the Canadian Border Services Agency and Department of Homeland Security will be authorized to specifically create reasonable access for Point Roberts residents and property owners, as promptly as possible.

Ronald L. Bensley, Jr.

Renton

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Blaine Boys and Girls club receives $25,000 donation, donor wants to match

B y G rac E m c c arthy

An anonymous Blaine donor gifted the Blaine boys and girls club $25,000 and is now looking for the community to match her donation. The donor will match every contribution a Blaine resident gives the club before September 30.

The Blaine Boys and Girls Clubs of Whatcom County (BGCWC) provides meals and supports students with learning and activities outside of school hours. Heather Powell, CEO of BGCWC, said the majority of the donation will go to the Blaine chapter’s biggest expense, which is supporting high-quality, dedicated staff.

“As we prepare to return to our after-school programs, after nine weeks of summer camp, we are immensely grateful for the generous support of this anonymous donor from Blaine,” Powell said in an August 2 news release. “Her matching gift challenge will help ensure we can continue to sustain our array of life-enhancing programs for kids in the Blaine community.”

Twenty-five thousand dollars is the largest single donation the Blaine clubhouse typically receives in a year, Powell said.

BGCWC was founded in 1946 for students, especially those furthest from an equitable education, to reach their highest success. The organization has several clubhouses in the county including Bellingham, Ferndale and Lynden.

Donations can be made on the BGCWC website at whatcomclubs.org or through BGCWC chief development officer Sara Maloney at 360/738-3808 ext. 304 or smaloney@whatcomclubs.org.

s A Blaine student makes a DIY lava lamp during boys and girls club summer camp.

Courtesy photo

CiviC Meetings

Birch Bay Water & Sewer District: Second and fourth Thursdays, 4 p.m., district offices, 7096 Point Whitehorn Road, Birch Bay. Info and Zoom meeting link: bbwsd.com. Blaine City Council: Second and fourth Mondays, 6 p.m., Blaine City Council chambers, 435 Martin Street. Info and virtual meeting login: ci.blaine.wa.us. Blaine Planning Commission: Second and fourth Thursdays, 6 p.m. Info: blainepc@cityofblaine.com. Info for joining Zoom meetings: bit.ly/2CiMKnk. Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation: Second Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., location varies. Info: bbbparkandrec.org. Virtual meeting info: bbbparkandrec.org/board-meetings. Blaine Park and Cemetery Board: Second Thursday, 9 a.m., virtual meeting. Info: 360/332-8311, ext. 3330. Blaine School Board: Fourth Monday, 7 p.m., Blaine school district offices. Info and virtual meeting link: blainesd.org. North Whatcom Fire & Rescue: Third Thursday, 1 p.m. Info: nwfrs.net.