Happy New Year! 2015 was a productive year for the Swauk-Teanaway Grange. Some of the highlights this year include:
We awarded $1,000 scholarships to three Kittitas County high school seniors; the first time we have been able to offer three scholarships in one year, and that is the direct result of the wonderful support we have from the community! Sally Gililand, Chair of the Scholarship Committee, reports that since 2004 we have given $15,750 to 20 graduating seniors in Kittitas County! Our 2016 Scholarship Fundraising Dinner is coming up Saturday, February 20, and will be chaired by Patti and Jim Gylling. Tickets will be available soon, to reserve yours call Gerry Lloyd 509-607-6624 or Claire Lucke 509-857-2580.
Our building and grounds received some much needed attention this year. On March 28, a work party of 30 volunteers cleared brush, moved soil, re-seeded grass, and cleaned and organized the hall interior. The interior of the hall got a fresh coat of paint thanks to Chuck Johnson. In June, volunteers tore up the old vinyl tiles and new seamless flooring was installed. A commercial grade floor scrubber was purchased at the end of December to make the task of floor cleaning easier and more effective. We have several more upgrades on the drawing board and hope to accomplish those this spring. Thank you to all of you who come out to help – to clean, paint, mow, cook, attend meetings, keep the books, take the photos, chair the events, organize the catering, work on the scholarship, bake, and just say “yes” when asked to volunteer. You are the energy that makes this Grange run!
At our November business meeting, we voted to use the Hunters Breakfast raffle sale income to provide Christmas gifts for upper county children through the Giving Tree program. Additional donations almost doubled those funds! Thank you to Sandi Peck for spearheading this outreach project and to all the members who shopped and donated additional dollars to make so many children’s dreams come true!