Pub hosts hospital fundraiser with athletes
April 30, 2008
By Laura Geggel
Seahawks and Everclear member bring in a crowd at Finaghty’s
Three Seahawks and Davey French of Everclear combined forces with the invitation of Project Grace and Finaghty’s Irish Pub to meet, greet and play for a Children’s Hospital fundraiser and gift drive last week.
“We all either have a personal experience with our own kids going (to Children’s Hospital) or know people whose kids have been there,” said Elizabeth Gardner, president of Project Grace, a 6-month-old Children’s Guild formed by eight mothers in Snoqualmie, including Heather Thibeau, Stephanie Britton, Shelley Marzetti, Megan DeSpain and Andrea Stiles.
“We felt passionate about Children’s Hospital for helping make our kids better and well,” said Meghan DeSpain, co-president of Project Grace. “We got to thinking how we could give back to Children’s, so we researched it and formed our guild.”
Gardner’s husband, Jason, knows some Seahawks and invited three football players to sign autographs for families.
“They signed T-shirts and posters and hung out with everyone,” said Gardner. Local children came to Finaghty’s to donate books and toys for the hospital and receive an autograph in exchange.
Dan Clemens of Fall City and his 11-year-old son donated three books from the Series of Unfortunate Events stories and, in return, left with a signed Seahawks hat and poster.
“We had a good time,” said Clemens. “(Jack) was excited to see some actual living Seahawks players.”
Clemens said his family spent time at Children’s when they learned their daughter had a heart defect.
“It’s a great institution for kids,” Clemens said.
Eight retailers on the ridge will have collection bins for toys and books until May 4. All donations must be new and washable - no stuffed animals - and could include anything from board games to teethers.
The bins can be found at Finaghty’s, Kumon, Uncle Si’s, Head Over Heels, Snoqualmie Music, Bliss Spa, Peanutbutter & Lili and Zeebi’s Toy Store. Finaghty’s will also have money donation forms to add to the $725 raised April 23. To learn more about the drive, e-mail Project Grace at projectgrace@hotmail.com.
The pub’s owners, Phil Stafford and Lisa McCord, said they were impressed with the toys and money raised, but hope to attract even more donations.
“The community’s response to helping children shows how family oriented the community is,” Stafford said.
The children filtered out of the pub by 8:30 and the Steve Bell Band, with Davey French, stirred up the audience as the Seahawks mixed drinks.
“The music was amazing,” said Gardner. “There were people dancing.”
The Steve Bell Band usually plays at Finaghty’s every Thursday. The fundraiser brought a large crowd for a Wednesday night of about 450 people.
Stafford said he and McCord are looking forward to doing more fundraisers, although they plan to concentrate on more local efforts.
“We’re both very happy we are able to pull this many people in and have awareness of a charity like this,” said Stafford. “It’s our responsibility as far as we’re concerned; running a business in the community is also putting back in the community.”
Reporter Laura Geggel can be reached at lgeggel@snovalleystar.com or 392-6434.
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