Harvey banks her birthday

GRAYLAND —Her son suggested she mark her 90th birthday by skydiving in Florida, and Elaine Harvey, longtime member of Twin Harbors Lutheran Church, gave that some serious thought. But in the end, she settled on a celebration less terrifying and more meaningful to this Grays Harbor County community, where unemployment remains at 11.4 percent, among the very highest in the state.

Harvey instead threw a big party for herself at the local grange hall, inviting church and community members and asking them to bring donations of nonperishable food items or money for the South Beach Food Bank in nearby Westport.

The response was overwhelming. Donations from more than 100 willing guests resulted in $1,200 in cash and checks and a pickup truck load of food for the hungry and unemployed in this Pacific coastal town. 

Skydiving? Maybe next year.

— From Merri Erickson, president, Twin Harbors Lutheran church