Annual La Conner Rotary Club auction honors Mayor Hayes

When saluted by La Conner Rotarians Saturday night at Maple Hall, Mayor Ramon Hayes didn't speak at length about accomplishments that have marked his unprecedented four terms in office.

He instead chose to focus on a task left uncompleted until that very moment, when he was presented the Paul Harris Fellow recognition, a $1,000 contribution to the national Rotary Foundation in Hayes' name.

Hayes, who is bringing his 16-year tenure to a close, used his remarks to shift attention from himself to former Washington state Senator Mary Margaret Haugen, to whom he had extended a special invitation to attend the La Conner Rotary Club's 2023 Dinner and Auction.

Hayes lauded Haugen for having used her considerable influence in Olympia to earmark state funds for construction of the popular La Conner boardwalk.

Then Hayes asked the 118 attendees to rise in a standing ovation for Haugen, a tribute he said was long overdue.

"For years," Hayes told the Weekly News afterward, "I've tried to find ways for the community to thank her for all she did for the boardwalk. When I learned I would be receiving the Paul Harris Award tonight, I had it in my heart to give her a call so that she could be here and give the La Conner community an opportunity to show its appreciation."

Hayes also expressed appreciation for the Rotary chapter's wide-ranging efforts on behalf of local citizens of all ages, most notably its support of literacy and education initiatives.

Those on-going projects received a major boost when diners attending the Aug. 26 event, catered by O'Donnell's American Grill and Irish Pub, pledged nearly $55,000 separate from additional monies raised during the 16-item live auction.

In all, Saturday's fundraising total exceeded $92,000 in support of its missions to ensure daily food security, promote educational and leadership experiences for students here and abroad and provide annual scholarship awards for graduating seniors, among other points of emphasis.

That spirit of selfless community service was perhaps best modeled by Rotarian Kim Good Rubenstein, who donated her winnings from a 50/50 raffle – more than $1,200 – back to the club's Fund-in-Need account.

Past La Conner Rotary President Adam McGarity emphasized the club's ability to morph hope into tangible results.

"We're known as the 'make it happen' club," McGarity said, adding that "hope is so much more than a passing wish. It's an act of positive change. Your gifts bring hope that all kids will learn to read and write well. Public service makes our community better and brings us together while we're doing it."

Club President Connie Milliken welcomed the evening's attendees, whose ranks included Skagit County Commissioner Ron Wesen and district Rotary officials.