Cup of Sunshine raises over $3,000

Get into the donating spirit, Cathlamet, as the fourth annual Cup of Sunshine Competition is already underway. Per competition rules, the business that brings in the most donations will win the "Cup of Sunshine" chalice and bragging rights. Pottery artist Ruthie Doumit created this year's chalice. Leading this drive is local business owner Sue Zabel. Aside from owning the Jabber Shack, Sue is a frequent community fundraiser. David Zabel, a wood craftsman and Sue's husband, designed and made dozens of small wooden banks labeled "WAAG/Food Bank" for businesses to display and collect donations for the area's three local food banks and local animal group WAAG (Wahkiakum Animal Advocates Group). This year's drive raised a whopping $3,353.20, which is equivalent to every adult in Wahkiakum County giving at least a dollar. Each organization will receive $838.35. "I'm really impressed with the people of Wahkiakum," said Sue. The winner of the Cup of Sunshine this year is the Cathlamet Market, which brought in $618.81.

This donation competition has just completed its fourth year. However, this was the first year it accepted cash donations instead of nonperishable food items, allowing the nonprofits to meet a broader range of needs. "Some need money for bills, sometimes they need money to buy specific products that people need, and they do go out and buy milk and other things," Sue explained. "I figured if we did cash, then they could use it for whatever their needs are." This year was also the first in which WAAG was included. "We're so thankful to our community for supporting Cup of Sunshine this year," said Secretary of WAAG Amy Coleman. "A big thank you to Sue at Jabber Shack for organizing this annual competition. The funds raised will help us provide much-needed pet food for animals in our community and those in our care looking for their forever homes."

Sue is already planning future fundraisers, including one for the museum, which is set to begin at the end of this month and run through October. To those who helped make this year's Cup of Sunshine happen, Sue couldn't be more thankful. She especially wished to recognize Dave Zabel, who made the donation banks. Sue also recognized The Lions Club, which, along with Terri Elfers, Windy Edwards, and Paula Marx Rush, helped pick up the banks.

The participating businesses who kept donation banks were Sons of Norway, Scribbles, Patty Cakes, Puget Island Gardens, Mini Mart Cathlamet, Jabber Shack, The Spar, Aunt B's Grooming, Cathlamet Market, Cathlamet Pharmacy, Freedom Market, Tsuga Gallery, The Wahkiakum County Eagle, The Video Store, Dollar General, Chamber of Commerce, Maria's, River Mile 38, The Duck Inn, St. Catherine Church, Sirendipity Thrift Store, and the Skamokawa General Store. If you are in need or want to donate, local food banks are listed in the community calendar.