Community Foundation for Southwest Washington receives $1 million gift for Jack, Will and Rob Boys & Girls Club endowment

The Community Foundation for Southwest Washington announces the creation of an endowment fund for the Jack, Will and Rob Boys & Girls Club. The endowment, created by gifts from Henry Swigert and the Swigert Foundation totaling $1 million, will support the development, health and well-being of children ages 6-18 in Camas and Washougal, WA. When fully funded at $2 million, the Jack, Will & Rob Kids’ Fund will provide a permanent source of support for approximately one-third of the JWR Boys & Girls Club’s annual operating needs.

“The endowment will provide permanent support to the JWR Boys & Girls Club, just as the club itself is a permanent memorial to my great-nephews,” says Swigert. “It’s wonderful to see the interests and talents of Jack, Will and Rob live on in the many children who learn and grow through the Club.”

In addition to the endowment held at the Community Foundation, the Boys & Girls Club of Portland Metropolitan Area has committed to providing $100,000 in operating funds annually. Brot Bishop Jr., a longtime Boys & Girls Club supporter and friend of Swigert, will also fundraise $100,000 each year from the southwest Washington community.

“With the funding from the Swigerts and the Boys & Girls Clubs, the people of southwest Washington can come together knowing that every dollar that they contribute will be matched with two dollars, resulting in a wonderful club for the children of Washougal and Camas,” said Bishop.

Those interested in contributing to the club, may do so by visiting bgcportland.org or by calling 503-232-0077. Please specify that you would like your donation to support the Jack, Will and Rob Boys & Girls Club.

Top Projects and Building Excellence Awards merge in 2010

The Vancouver Business Journal’s “Top Projects” Awards and the Building Industry Association’s “Building Excellence Awards,” in conjunction with the Southwest Washington Contractor’s Association, will join forces on Sept. 16, 2010, to create the largest building trades awards program in Southwest Washington.

The new event will offer awards to the Top Projects among residential, commercial and public works projects based on dollar value of the project. The event will also feature awards in building excellence, which will be judged based on pre-set criteria within residential, commercial, remodeling and landscaping categories. The top three projects in each category will be recognized at the event podium, with all winners and nominations receiving recognition in the Top Projects magazine, an annual publication of the Vancouver Business Journal.

Builders and contractors will be encouraged to submit projects whose groundbreaking occurred between June 1, 2009, and July 31, 2010. There will be no fee to enter your project. Entry forms, available in early April, and may be obtained by visiting the BIA office at 103 E. 29th Street, Vancouver, WA, or by download from the websites of the event partners www.biaofclarkcounty.org, www.vbjusa.com or www.swca.org. Award categories, judging criteria and other event details will also be posted on their websites.

Businesses interested in sponsoring or participating as a partner in the event should contact event coordinators Cindy Johnson, cjohnson@vbjusa.com or Avaly Mobbs, amobbs@biaofclarkcounty.org prior to Feb. 15, 2010, as limited space is available.

Tax time: low-income wage earners can claim tax credit online

With a quick click from the WorkSource home page, low-income wage earners can claim the Earned-Income Tax Credit when filing their income-tax forms online.

Filers can find a link to the free I-CAN e-file site by visiting www.go2worksource.com. The site is available in English and Spanish and is certified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as an online tax provider.

While filling out the form, filers who meet income requirements will have an opportunity to claim the Earned-Income Tax Credit. Earned income and adjusted gross income must each be less than $43,279 ($48,279 married and filing jointly) with three or more qualifying children, $40,295 ($45,295 married and filing jointly) with two qualifying children, $35,463 ($40,463 married and filing jointly) with one qualifying child, or $13,440 ($18,8440 married and filing jointly) with no qualifying children.

“In this economy, any tax credit that puts money into your pocket is critical,” said Employment Security Commissioner Karen Lee. “WorkSource provides this link because we’re committed to helping people turn hard times into better times.”

WorkSource is a statewide partnership of organizations, including the Employment Security Department, that offers a variety of free employment-related services to job seekers and employers. Addresses and phone numbers are posted on go2worksource.com, along with thousands of job listings, job-search tips and other valuable information.

Rotary Clubs of Clark County raise funds, request additional community contributions for Haitian earthquake relief

Rotary Club members of Clark County have raised $15,000 and are seeking additional contributions from community members and businesses to assist the victims of the earthquake that struck Haiti on January12.

Funds raised by the Clark County Rotarians will go to the ShelterBox program, which is providing emergency shelter and supplies in Haiti, and the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund, which was established by the Rotary International Foundation. There are seven Rotary Clubs in Clark County. Funds raised included $1000 donations from Corwin Beverage, Dean and Roxanne Sutherland, and Glenn Waller, and a $200 contribution from First Independent Bank.

Additional financial contributions for the ShelterBox and the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund are being requested and are urgently needed for Haitian relief. ShelterBox donations may be donated online through www.shelterboxusa.org or mailed to ShelterBox USA, 8374 Market Street #203, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202. For assistance, call 941-907-6036. Donations to the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund, a donor-advised fund within The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International, may be given online through www.rotary.org or mailed to The Rotary Foundation DAF, Haiti Earthquake Relief #296, c/o NRS, 4A Gill Street, Woburn, MA 01801. For assistance, call 847-866-3488. All contributions should be marked for Haiti earthquake relief.

For more information about Rotary Clubs in the SW Washington and Oregon, visit www.ridistrict5100.org or call 877-776-8279 or 503-682-7081.

News Briefs

Shorty's Garden & Home is hosting a Mardi Gras-themed silent auction, which includes festivities celebrating community, kids and "Southern" hospitality, and music by Five Guys Named Moe, 6 p.m. Saturday, March 20, 10006 SE Mill Plain Blvd. Proceeds from the silent auction, wine wall, celebrity psychics, and more, will benefit the Hough Pool and Hough Family Services Center programs. General Admission tickets are $35 until March 10 and, thereafter, $40 until day of event. Reserved seats for the concert party are $50 and include a complimentary beverage. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://houghfnd.ejoinme.org/?tabid=193327.

Calendar

Vancouver City Council meets for an executive session at 4 p.m. followed by a regular meeting at 7 p.m. tonight, Feb.1, in the City Council chambers, 210 E 13th Street. <> Camas City Council will meet for workshops at 4:30 p.m. today, followed by a regular meeting at 7 p.m. tonight, Feb. 1, in the City Council chambers, 616 NE 4th Avenue. <> Battle Ground City Council meets at 7 p.m. tonight, Feb. 1, in City Hall Council chambers, 109 SW 1st Street, 2nd Floor. For more information, call 342-5008. <> Port of Camas Washougal will meet for a regular meeting at 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 1. <> Clark County public Facilities District meets at 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 1, in the Public Services Center, 6th floor, Room A. <> Washougal City is having a City Council meeting at 7 p.m. tonight, Feb. 1, in Council chambers.

  Monday on the air

 

Vancouver City Council (live)--7 p.m. CVTV
Columbia River Crossing Project Sponsors Council (1-22)--11 p.m. CVTV

     Community Calendar Links

• Southwest Washington Center for the Arts

• Greater Vancouver Chamber

• City of Vancouver Calendar

 

Monday, February 01, 2010 Headlines

 

Links to news of local & national significance

'Today' show tapes local segment--Columbian, Bob Albrecht

Washington lottery launches Powerball--Columbian, Dave Kern

"Bionic Woman' star to speak in Vancouver on domestic violence--Columbian, Elisa Williams

Adams pulls back on Portland's re-design of I-5 bridge--Columbian, Erik Robinson

As Marines move in, the Taliban fight a shadowy war--New York Times, C.J. Chivers

Gates shakes up leadership and funding for F-35--New York Times, Christopher Drew and Thom Shanker

Haiti says 10 Baptists may be tried in U.S.--USA Today, AP