Fine dining: Benefit supper emphasizes health food

Baked potatoes were the main course, but it was love that flavored a community dinner at the Swinomish Gym last Wednesday.

Health food was the fare of the night as proceeds from each plate were donated to help three La Conner young men who have battled serious health issues.

Members of the La Conner High chapter of Key Club, which is affiliated with Kiwanis International, organized the May 22 “Spud Dinner” benefit.

La Conner High students Danny Rapada and Frank Scott, and La Conner High alum Tomas Baker, were beneficiaries of the two-hour event.

Rapada has a primary diagnosis of aplastic anemia, a disease in which the bone marrow doesn’t produce enough blood cells. He has several underlying conditions and will undergo a colectomy later this year.

Between what have become repeated visits to Seattle Children’s Hospital, Rapada has fought to maintain a normal life, most recently participating in the annual Swinomish Blessing of the Fleet and First Salmon Ceremony.

Scott has undergone three surgeries and numerous tests and procedures related to eosinophilic esophagitis, an often painful chronic immune system disease marked by a buildup of white blood cells in the lining of the tube that connects the stomach and mouth.

He has also dealt with GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), asthma and food allergies.

Scott has soldiered on gamely and quietly, many in the community having not been aware the teen has been ill. He will soon travel to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital for further testing and to consult with experts there.

Rapada and Scott have not been able to attend school this year while they’ve undergone medical treatment.

Baker grew up in La Conner and enjoyed an active childhood here, one he shared with a host of local friends. Later, as a young adult, he underwent thrice-weekly dialysis before receiving a kidney transplant last September.

He and his parents, John and Mary Baker, said on Wednesday they were hopeful the “Spud Dinner” could help build greater awareness of kidney disease and raise funds in honor of Tomas for the University of Washington Kidney Research Center.

“We’ve wanted to do something for Tomas for quite a while,” said La Conner Key Club advisor Jamie Stroebel-Reinstra, herself a La Conner High alum. A benefit event including Rapada and Scott, schoolmates of Key Club members, seemed an ideal fit.

Others thought so, as well.

Pioneer Potatoes donated the spuds. The Ginger Grater and Orange Rainbow Expresso pitched in side items. The Swinomish Tribal Community made the gym available and La Conner Hook & Ladder volunteers provided clean-up.

Key Club officers and members did much of the planning.

“We began thinking around Christmas about doing something like this,” said Key Club President Sophia Benetti, a La Conner High senior. “Then things really started to come together a month or so ago.”

Benetti and other Key Clubbers shuffled between the kitchen, serving line and dining tables.

Their efforts didn’t go unnoticed. Nor did those of area residents who rallied to the cause.

“This is really great,” said Scott’s dad, also named Frank. “We appreciate all the support here tonight.”