Good Samaritan’s kindness — and rent money — repaid

EVERETT — Peggy Ray was plenty busy at the Starbucks coffee shop she manages in Everett on Tuesday, but she did find time to greet and hug more than a half dozen Everett firefighters.

They stopped by to pass along a handful of checks — and a community’s gratitude.

Ray, 39, is the Marysville soccer mom who provided medical aid to an elderly Kirkland couple involved in a serious traffic accident on I-5 near Everett on Saturday. When she returned to her car, she realized she’d left the doors unlocked and $900 in rent money she had just withdrawn from her bank was stolen.

Ray’s story has made national headlines. Donations have poured in.

“It’s all just a little overwhelming,” Ray said Tuesday.

Today, she is scheduled to go to Seattle for a satellite interview with CNN news anchor Anderson Cooper for a future broadcast.

People have been touched well beyond Snohomish County.

Alexis Garmon, 16, was doing her pre-calculus homework at her home near Louisville, Ky., when she heard a TV news account about the Washington woman losing her rent money while helping others.

“She didn’t have to do that,” Garmon said. “When she said she would be giving to charities, that’s when I said, ‘We have to donate.’”

Peggy and her husband, Nathan, have two causes in mind to donate much of the proceeds — Rhema’s Reality for Childhood Cancer Research and the Green Cross Academy of Traumatology.

Rhema Butler, an Olympia-area girl who enjoyed soccer and cheerleading, died of cancer in 2011. She was 14. Ray once had coached her in cheerleading and she helped raise money for the girl’s family after the diagnosis.

The Green Cross Academy of Traumatology — not to be confused with the medical marijuana delivery service — is a humanitarian assistance organization that helps people in crisis following traumatic events, such as the superstorm Sandy that ravaged the East Coast earlier this month.

Nathan Ray said his wife always has been one to quietly contribute her time and energy to help others. It’s a little hard to comprehend the outpouring of support now that she’s on the receiving end, he said.

“She has done so much over the years for individuals and organizations, and that’s one of the reasons that we are blown away by the response,” he said. “It’s one of those things where you give and receive with both hands.”

On Tuesday, Everett battalion chief Matt Keller presented Peggy Ray with local donations, including $750 from Everett firefighters, that the fire department has collected since Sunday. He did not count the total, but it was well more than $900 she lost.

Keller was on Saturday’s emergency call along I-5, which he described as “a high-speed, high-energy wreck” that resulted in serious injuries to the driver, 74, and passenger, 69. Both are expected to recover.

Keller knows what Ray faced when she ran down the embankment to offer aid.

“I think she did some good work,” he said. “We wanted to make sure she was made whole.”

Lynnwood police officer Bill Koonce also took up a collection, gathering $350 in donations from fellow officers, bicycling friends and relatives.

“There are a lot of things that are bad out there,” Koonce said. “It’s kind of pleasant when there is something you can do that does some good.”

On Monday, a Seattle television station gave Ray a check for nearly $3,800 it collected in donations.

Nathan Ray said it has been a remarkable stretch since Saturday afternoon.

“Then, we were wondering where are we going to be able to borrow the money to pay our rent,” he said. “We weren’t looking for any of this. There is a lot of good that has come out of all this.”

Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446, stevick@heraldnet.com

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Firefighters respond to a 911 call on July 16, 2024, in Mill Creek. Firefighters from South County Fire, Tulalip Bay Fire Department and Camano Island Fire and Rescue left Wednesday to help fight the LA fires. (Photo provided by South County Fire)
Help is on the way: Snohomish County firefighters en route to LA fires

The Los Angeles wildfires have caused at least 180,000 evacuations. The crews expect to arrive Friday.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River. Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council approves water, sewer rate increases

The 43% rise in combined water and sewer rates will pay for large infrastructure projects.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

Everett
Man in custody after stabbing at Everett Pizza Hut parking lot

Deputies say victim was transported to a hospital after he was pistol whipped and stabbed in the back.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
At least two Snohomish County residents exposed to measles

The health department is monitoring residents who may be at risk for developing the illness.

Black Forest Mushrooms owner Nethanael Engen on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett small business owner struggles with health insurance rate hike

The insurer said it raised rates to keep up with rising health care costs.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.