Pioneer family member gets Community Champion award

Having spent decades devoted to feeding the hungry, Virginia Good-Vlahovich found herself on the receiving end of praise at the annual “Leaders Inspiring Leaders” forum at Skagit Regional Airport on Saturday, June 25.

The 1975 La Conner High School grad was recipient of a special “Community Champion” award at the two-hour program that also featured remarks from former U.S. Secretary of Defense and Central Intelligence Agency Director Robert Gates, a Big Lake resident who, in retirement, has been a major supporter of area food banks and schools.

The event, held inside the airport’s Heritage Flight Museum, was a benefit for the Helping Hands Food Bank, on whose board of directors Good- Vlahovich has served for 20 years.

A longtime employee of Safeway, Good-Vlahovich is president of the Sedro-Woolley Farmers Market and each August joins her sisters, Kim and Patsy, in preparing salmon for the Skagit County Pioneer Association luncheon and business meeting in La Conner.

“My whole mission,” Good-Vlahovich said, “has been to feed Skagit County.”

A U.S. Army veteran and member of the Billiken Club of La Conner, she hails from a Skagit County pioneer family that has a long tradition of public service and civic engagement. The Goods were the 2021 Skagit County Pioneer Family of the Year.

Good-Vlahovich was presented her award by Sue Nagel, a Helping Hands board colleague.

“Anything Ginny gets involved in,” Nagel said, “she goes in full-bore.”

Good-Vlahovich gave credit to the example set by her parents, the late Pat and Janet Good, and the support provided by her sisters.

“We love Skagit County,” she said. “My sisters and I have a real passion for this community. That comes from our parents.”

During his earlier appearance on stage, Gates shared observations on what makes for effective leadership.

Being an active participant in one’s community, Gates insisted, is a key element of leadership.

“Thinking locally and doing things locally is what matters most.”