Grateful thanks to Tribes for gifts, message

Thank you to the Tulalip Tribes for their generous support to All Aboard — an activities program for adults with special needs — for replacement of our wobbly, chipped and stained chairs and tables. We are much safer and a whole lot “classier” given their grant funds. Thank you to the Tribes also for inviting us to participate in their annual Raising Hands Celebration. While we savored one scrumptious dinner, we learned of the extensive variety of 300 non-profit organizations they support in the region. Humbly, they shared how they’ve donated over $63.6 million just this year.

They gave us gifts, which included a print by James Madison, a phenomenal artist, as well as the history of the Tulalip Tribes. They shared their mission, history and tradition of “raising our hands” to applaud and give thanks to those who have given to us and the numerous organizations that contribute to our communities.

The Tulalip Tribes made us feel special, appreciated and grateful for living in a community that cares. Most important, they shared their love, given it was the day after the Marysville Pilchuck tragedy. Yes, the celebration agenda changed for all the right reasons, but most importantly the message that replaced the agenda was heartfelt, wise, sincere and so vitally important in our hearing and remembering — listen to our youth, take the time to be with your family and listen, listen, listen. We thank the elders and board members for sharing this message and a very special evening.

As members of the Snohomish County community, it is now our time to “raise our hands” and applaud the Tulalip Tribes for their ongoing contributions toward enhancing arts and culture, education/ youth, environment, health care, public safety and social services to our communities. The Tulalip Tribes are truly a first-class organization who care and share and make a difference for so many in this region.

Renee Jones

Board president, All Aboard

Everett