Chinook's 2017 Community Chest make quick work of annual canvass

 

May 10, 2017

Steve Edwards

Cameron Huestis, left, and Erin Pula discuss their strategy as canvassers for Chinook's 2017 Community Chest fund. Canvassers visit every house in town and raise about $4500 for several youth and community programs. Pula was a first-time canvasser and Huestis, a veteran of the campaign, was helping her prepare for the canvass.

A larger than normal group of canvassers took advantage of a pleasant spring late afternoon to complete the 2017 canvass of Chinook. Volunteers, many representing groups that receive support under the Community Chest, were assigned specific blocks of houses and set out to knock on doors. The non-profit Community Chest was created in the late 1970's and one of the goals of the canvass is to make contact with every household in Chinook.

According to Kasie McIntosh, one of the organizers of the canvass, about $4500 is raised each year. That amount is distributed and helps support Boy and Girl Scouts, the Food Pantry, AAU Wrestling, Youth Baseball/Softball, Children's Theatre, Swim Team, Youth Soccer and PAWS (the local animal shelter). McIntosh said amounts given vary from $250-$600 per organization.

Steve Edwards

This group of volunteers was photographed as they signed in and received assignments for the 2017 Chinook Community Chest canvass. Representing several different groups, pictured are: (front row left to right) Reegan Roseleip; Lance Pitkanen: Brooklyn Terry and Alexis Pitkanen. Back row: Ross Reed and Anna Terry.

Many years the same canvassers show up to help. Several groups of canvassers were with a specific organization and set off to knock on doors as a group. And, always, there are a few 'newbies' who were canvassing for the first time. Erin Pula, was a first-timer, accompanied by Cameron Huestis, a seasoned canvasser with one year already completed. Erin said, "They asked for volunteers and it seemed like it might be fun. A lot of other kids were involved." She added, "I've been on the Swim Team for seven years so I know how some of the money we raise will be used." Erin is a new member of JUMP and canvassing was part of JUMP's community service even though the group gets no funding from Community Chest.

If you were not at home on the night of the canvass, someone should have left a mail back envelope. McIntosh said a good bit of the money raised each year comes in the mail-from residents who were not at home for the canvass, former residents and even tourists who want to help a local cause. You can still make a donation for this year. Send contributions to P.O. Box 39, Chinook, 59523.

The "Journal" thanks the organizers of the canvass and the canvassers for their work to help support this various organizations and programs.

 
 

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