Zumbathon raises $5,700 for Ukraine

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s Zumba instructor Celine Mauger hosted a Zumbathon to raise funds for Save the Children’s Ukraine emergency relief fund at Birch

Bay Activity Center on March 19. Over 40 people attended the event and raised $5,700 between the Zumbathon, a silent auction and

cash donations. Photos courtesy Celine Mauger

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The Birch Bay community raised $5,744 for Ukraine during a Zumbathon event at the Birch Bay Activity Center.

Zumba instructors traveled from Oak Harbor to host the 90-minute Zumbathon March 19 at the Birch Bay Activity Center. All proceeds went to Save the Children’s Ukraine emergency relief fund and were matched by Nature’s Path.

The event also had a silent auction with items and gift certificates from local businesses such as Beach Cat Brewing and Drayton Harbor Oyster Company.

Event organizer Celine Mauger said 40 people were in attendance and many more made donations. Determined to help, Mauger organized the event in a week.

“I was looking at the news and seeing all of the children and their moms fleeing the war and I was crying. You want to help,” said Mauger, who has children of her own. “One thing I know how to do is do Zumba and put on a Zumbathon.”

Mauger said she was inspired by the community for its support. Zumba instructors donated their time, the BlaineBirch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 donated its space and the community donated more than double what Mauger was hoping.

“It’s been an amazing response from the community and it’s been a team effort,” she said. “Everyone wants to do something to help.”

Letters

The Editor:

I love the sound of a train’s whistle, especially when the engineer gets the signal correct – two medium, one short and one long. There is just nothing like that sound in the night. Before you ask, I live four blocks from the train track and spent over three years as a live aboard in the Blaine Marina, Gate 1 – G Dock. You can’t get much closer than that to the tracks.

Sandie Miller

Blaine

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Correction

In an article in the March 17 issue of The Northern Light titled “Spanish, English and American explorers influence Birch Bay names,” an editing error wrongfully saidCaptain George Vancouver’s ship “Discovery” was Joseph Whidbey’s ship.

We regret the error.

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