This clay likeness of Centralia founder George Washington is part of the full-size model that Adna artist Jim Stafford is creating in his studio.
The McMenamin’s Olympic Club has offered to donate every dollar spent on food, beverages and movies during a fundraiser toward the ongoing community effort to build a bronze statue of Centralia’s founding family.
Once it is built and paid for the statue, which is estimated to come with a price tag around $100,000, is planned to be placed at a prominent spot at Washington Park near the Timberland Centralia Library.
“Come out to the Oly Club the Tuesday before Thanksgiving to have a fun evening and to help build our statue of Centralia’s remarkable founders,” said Brian Mittge, chairman of the George Washington Bicentennial Committee, in a press release. “Every dollar you spend at the Oly Club that evening will go to the statue project. We really want to thank McMenamins for this incredibly generous and exciting offer.”
The fundraiser will take place from 5 p.m. until midnight on Tuesday, Nov. 21. A press release from the George Washington Bicentennial Committee noted that earlier times are typically busier, so patrons are encouraged to come in for food, drinks and entertainment after 7 p.m. The event is open to the public and all offerings will be priced as normal. The fundraising effort is double-down on McMenamins’ Pubs and Breweries existing Friends and Family Nights, which donate half of all proceeds to a charity cause.
The event will include several talks delivered in the Olympic Club’s Green Room. Dr. Isaac Pope, a pediatrician and founder of Pope’s Kids Place, will speak about the path that lead him to Centralia and his lifetime of work. Local historian Heather Beair will also give a presentation. Her talk will discuss the work to preserve a historic butternut tree that was planted in Tumwater in 1845 by George Washington Bush, who like Centralia’s similarly named George Washington, was an African-American Pioneer.
The all-volunteer George Washington Bicentennial Committee is currently in the midst of a year-long celebration of George Washington’s 200th birthday. So far, the group has helped to raise $25,000 toward the planned life-size statue of George Washington, his wife Mary Jane, and their dog. The statue work is being done by Jim Stafford, a renowned sculptor from Adna.
Additional information can be found online at www.ourgeorgewashington.com.
An online fundraising effort is available at www.gofundme.com/GW200.
