Love Washington Disaster Resiliency Event planned for summer 2019

PATEROS – Love Washington, a Disaster Resiliency Event is on the planning board for the summer of 2019 to raise preparedness funds for future Long Term Recovery and Disaster Case Management needs.
Okanogan County Long Term Recovery Group Executive Director, Carlene Anders said that Michelle Pennoni, an AmeriCorps volunteer and lead of the third AmeriCorps/National Civilian Conservation Corps team to serve a tour at Pateros from March 28-May 15 last year, will head up the project. Pennoni recently relocated to Pateros from her home in Pennsylvania to assume the reins of the ambitious event.
Love Washington is a row, run, and ride ultra-marathon that will traverse 745 river miles over 35 days on and along the Columbia River from the Canadian border to Fort Columbia State Park. The event will raise preparedness funds for the Long Term Recovery and Disaster Case Management program in anticipation of meeting future disasters.
A pre-trip rehearsal is planned from June 24-August 18, this year to prepare for the main event the following summer. A team will travel the route to solve any problems and work out details for the final trip. The pre-trip will coincide with the Rising from the Ashes Recovery Reunion and Celebration scheduled for July 18-22.
The Reunion will bring together volunteers, donors, partners and recovery recipients who have been part of the past three-year rebuild program. Volunteer Coordinator Aimee Bannwarth is organizing the details and itinerary for the five-day event. Bannwarth can be reached at email ocltrgvc@gmail.com.
To learn more about the Love Washington program, contact Pennoni at (484) 467-0965 or email mcpennoni@gmail.com or Carlene Anders, (509) 733-0318, email carltoncmplexrebuild@gmail.com.