The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

The Wahkiakum Community Foundation announced this week the hiring of Puget Island resident Sarah Lawrence as the foundation's new executive director.

Lawrence, who moved to the Island about two years ago, served last year as manager of the Wahkiakum County Fair.

As both jobs are part-time, she will continue as fair manager and also serve as director of the foundation.

At the foundation, Lawrence replaces Karen Bertroch, who resigned from the position last year.

"Sarah and the board will continue to encourage philanthropy, helping the community build a strong economy while promoting a healthy environment," said foundation spokesperson Linda Elliott in a news release.

The foundation was founded in 2003 with the purpose of enriching the lives of families within the Lower Columbia region. Covering Cowlitz, Wahkiakum and Pacific counties, their mission is to develop an endowed foundation that supports strong grassroots leadership and community based programs.

For more information contact Lawrence at the Wahkiakum Community Foundation office in Cathlamet, at the Scarborogh building or at 795-0419.

While applying for the foundation position, Lawrence worked with the Wahkiakum County Fair Board to find a way to continue her duties there.

"I'm glad that the Wahkiakum Community Foundation has gained a talented executive director and the fair has retained a great manager," fair board President Bill Coons commented in a statement to The Eagle.

"Due to my excellent working relationship with Sarah, I was aware and supportive of her application to the WCF. The WCF selection committee was very sensitive to the needs of the fair and, after hearing Sarah's plan to continue in both capacities, invited me to discuss my perspective before they made their final decision. I encouraged them to hire Sarah as she was very talented and capable of balancing both roles."

The fair board decided to create the position of administrative assistant which will be full time from June through August, Coons said The position will be paid by funds originally intended to make the fair manager's job full time in summer months.

"Now Sarah will remain employed as fair manager half time and that additional funding will be used to supplement the amount budgeted for the fair clerk to pay for a full time administrative assistant," Coons said. "The plan for this year includes issuing premium checks within two weeks of the fair so that full time work will not be required in September."