Just two weeks ago, our community shared in the collective generosity of Give More 24, Southwest Washington’s day of online giving. At the Parks Foundation, we participated by holding the first-ever Swing More 24!
Clark PUD Commissioner Jane Van Dyke and a friend!
Gary Bock and Jim Mains, of The Vancouver Side. Gary ate his lunch while swinging, and Jim talked to 7 people on Periscope.
Thank you to the more than 30 people who donated their time and attention to join us to swing in support of parks! From 9am to 5pm, Parks Foundation supporters perched on swing sets in Vancouver, Ridgefield, Camas, Washougal, and Clark County. They engaged with the people who use our parks every day, and encouraged their friends and family to show their support by donating.
Vancouver City Councilor Larry Smith was surrounded by enthusiastic kids!
It was absolutely inspiring to see so many people–from elected officials to business owners to volunteers and community activists–take time out of their day and spend it helping us bring attention to our parks!
Vancouver City Councilors Alishia Topper and Bart Hansen
Altogether, our swingers and supporters raised $6,480, nearly double what we raised last year!
To inspire some friendly competition, we promised that all donations that were flagged in support of a specific participant would be credited to them–and everything donated in support of a specific city or the county would be credited to that jurisdiction.
Our top jurisdiction was Vancouver, bringing in $1,440 in donations!
Vancouver City Councilor Jack Burkman and Swing Shifter Erica Marchbank.
City of Vancouver Volunteer Coordinator Hailey Heath and Parks and Rec Advisory Commission member Kelly Bolan.
And our top Swing Participant was Susan Galaviz!
Erica Marchbank and Susan Galaviz. Susan dressed up as XRAY FM’s wonder woman, and we have to agree!
Susan, who spends her days doing marketing for XRAY FM and the Carl in the Morning radio show, rallied her network to donate in her name, and garnered BOTH the most donations, AND the highest collective dollar amount, with 18 donations that totaled $600! Thank you to Susan, and to everyone who donated to support her and parks in Clark County!
As our thanks to Susan for her incredible efforts, we are giving her an engraved brick in Esther Short Park’s Propstra Square. [If you’d like to join Susan and buy a brick for a friend, business, or loved one, click here!]
So many people joined us and made a difference, we have to recognize some other award-winners!
Best Costume
Noland Hoshino and Bryan Dainty
Noland and Bryan from High Five Media showed that even the dinosaurs love our parks!
Betsy Arfmann
Betsy Arfmann, from iQ Credit Union, brought in the highest average donation among her supporters!
Clark County
Grandkids love the parks! County parks director Bill Bjerke and co-chair of the County Parks Advisory Board Barbara Anderson shared the swing time for Clark County…. and Barbara brought along a couple of stunt doubles who were more than happy to do the work!