Brewster Chamber hears grant opportunity, previews spring events

Economic Development Specialist Mason Duke

COURTESY OF ECONOMIC ALLIANCE

BREWSTER – Mason Duke, Economic Development Specialist for the Economic Alliance, was the guest speaker at the Feb. 19 meeting of the Brewster Chamber of Commerce. Duke discussed the Okanogan Valley Fund Grant, a funding opportunity through the Community Foundation for North Central Washington (CFNCW) available to the Chamber and other 501(c)3 nonprofits in the county except for the Methow Valley.

“The grant application opened on Feb. 1 and remains open through March 15,” said Duke. “The minimum award is $2,000 and it is not a project-based grant.”

Duke explained that where many grant sources ask for a well-thought-out project as a prerequisite for consideration, the CFNCW grant is for organizational overhead and sustainment.

“It is up to the Chamber how they would allocate those funds,” said Duke. “I would definitely recommend applying.”

Vice President and Boys and Girls Club (BBGC) Director Elizabeth Shepard announced that the BBGC is accepting registrations for spring NFL Flag Football for ages five and up. Teams will be co-ed and by ages. Practice begins the week of March 24 with games on Saturday mornings from April 12 through May 17

Shepard also outlined upcoming events from March through July 4, starting with the Easter Egg Hunt at the BBGC.

Start time will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, April 19, with different starting points for age groups. The Easter Bunny will be on hand for pictures by donations. Shepard said she will need 5-10 volunteers to help fill the 10,000 eggs, hide them, and clean up following the event. Ideas are also under consideration to encourage greater interaction between city businesses and families.

The ninth annual Boys and Girls Club Golf Tournament at Gamble Sands is scheduled for April 21.

Shepard is seeking assistance and ideas for Mother’s Day in May.

“I need to form a committee that can help me come up with ideas and ways to make this benefit all of Brewster,” Shepard said.

The Chamber does not host a Memorial Day event, but Shepard requested volunteers to help put up and take down American flags.

“The Legion (Columbia Post 97) is always looking for help with that,” Shepard said.

July 4 falls on a Friday this year “so we can make that a weekend event,” Shepard suggested. The remaining details to resolve include:

• Whether to route the morning parade down Seventh Avenue to Columbia Cove Park or down Main Street.
• A better PA system. Last year, spectators could not hear when the Legion stopped or the National Anthem.
• A parade entry fee for non-Chamber members to generate revenue and encourage membership.
• Coordinating food and craft vendors at the park.
• Tables and chairs for diners, Apple bins for garbage.
• High school fundraiser dinners similar to the Pateros Apple Pie Jamboree.
• Partner with the school for an art walk.
• Color run, 3-on-3 basketball, corn hole tournament, and kids’ games.
• Raffle, silent auction, or bake sale fundraisers.

Mike Maltais: 360-333-8483 or michael@ward.media