Camas, WA — Nearly 90 people gathered at Camas Meadows Golf Club Wednesday night to celebrate the work of several local citizens that were honored by the Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce at their annual awards banquet.

After a social hour and dinner, emcee Brent Erickson helped to spotlight the Citizen, Business, and Educator of the Year awards, as well as present $1,000 scholarships to two graduating high school seniors — from both Camas and Washougal.

Katherine Boon, of Washougal High School, and Isaac Dizon, of Camas High School, were the recipients of the scholarships.

Darcy Hickey was honored as the Washougal Educator of the Year, while Doug Huegli received the same recognition for his work at Camas High School.

Washougal pastor, Bob Barber, received the distinguished honor at the chamber’s “Citizen of the Year” for his work helping the homeless. He was praised as being a citizen who looks out for others, and who celebrates unity in the community.

”I’ve only lived here for four years, but Camas-Washougal is the most beautiful and wonderful part of the world,” said Barber. “I’ve lived in British Columbia, Canada, I’ve lived in St. Louis, MO, St. Joseph, MI, I grew up in Palm Springs, CA, and I can tell you there is no better place to live right here than in Camas-Washougal.”

He reflected on his cancer battle five years ago, and the lessons that taught him.

”It taught me to not take anything for granted, but to make the most of every day,” said Barber. “Simply take a moment to open a door for someone, we can do that every day as we walk in and out of the store.”

He discussed a conversation he had four years ago with a member of the Unite! Washougal non-profit.

“How do you turn a bunch of garage doors into a community?” He asked. “You, you are the key. It’s you walking across the street and getting to know your neighbor. We live in an incredible community.”

Dawn Stanchfield, owner of Lily Atelier women’s boutique in downtown Camas, was honored as “Business of the Year.” She is credited with being essential to the revitalization of the downtown area for taking a risk and opening her store 15 years ago. At that time, the downtown Camas area wasn’t what it is today.  Mayor Scott Higgins introduced her and commended her business venture, as well as her continued charitable work in the community.

She discussed how loyal her customers are, and how much she appreciates Leah Dizon, who has her own customer base at the store. And, she thanked Gail Harrington for her work in the downtown revitalization project 15+ years ago that led to the success it is today.

”It was 15 years ago, probably to the day, that I signed the lease on my space in downtown Camas,” said Stanchfield. “And, to be here 15 years later, it’s because of some really amazing people. We’re all in this together with Washougal. It’s all becoming a destination here.”

She thanked the Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce for the work they do in promoting businesses.

”From tech, to tourism, independent businesses, big businesses, you bring us all together and I thank you for that,” she said. “I am so proud of that. Thank you, all of you.”

 

 

Camas, WA —  Dale Rule doesn’t just walk. He walks with a purpose. As he prepares to embark on a 60-day walk to Chicago on June 17, he’s doing so to put a spotlight on obesity — and to change communities from within.

”Years ago, I weighed 335 pounds, and I dropped 102 pounds in six months by changing how I eat, and by walking,” said Rule. “So I just keep on walking.”

Two summers ago, Rule, a football coach and high school security guard, walked to San Diego, which is a major accomplishment, and this year he’s been training for another incredible trek. His strategy is to walk 2,150 miles from Portland to Chicago, averaging 35.5 miles per day, with his family accompanying him in an RV. That’s approximately 4.2 million steps!

His goal is to initially raise $20,000 for this journey: https://www.gofundme.com/dales-pdx-2-chi-walk

He’s also encouraging people to purchase T-shirts through his non-profit website, www.everyonewalk.com

But, that’s really just the beginning, he says.

“I want a million people to pledge $1.50 per month to build community parks, and I want the first one to be built right here in Camas,” he said. “We are dominated by obesity, and the health problems this epidemic brings with it. We see obesity, but we don’t see how others feel about themselves. It’s a symptom of a personal worth problem in America. I see every day how people try to live up to what other people think they should be. You see kids dress or act in a rebellious nature. They want to know they’re loved and want to be belong to a family or group. So, these kids do what they can to get attention.”

Rule believes that when families break down, the community needs to help repair the damage by working together. His vision is to build community parks, on 40-acre parcels, that have all the necessary athletic amenities necessary to help reduce obesity — and build communities without spending a single taxpayer dime. Each park would have athletic fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, walking trails, etc. Each park would be funded by $1.50 per month pledges.

He ultimately envisions 20 percent of Americans pledging $1.50 per month to build and maintain these parks. That’s $97 million a month to accomplish his goal.

”I believe we can re-build communities from the inside out,” said Rule. “We’d need people to run these parks and facilities, and those would be the people in these neighborhoods. We have to teach people how to love themselves again. We have to give people a door so they have an option to change. When I was fat, I had zero discipline. I turned it all to food. And, that’s one of the problems we face today. There is generational poverty, generational obesity — that’s all some people know.”

Rule himself comes from a rough childhood with little security, and the absence of a father.

“Foootball probably saved my life,” he said. “Because before that I was a hotheaded, angry, smart mouth kid. I was very short tempered. The only consistent thing I had was Dale.”

As June 17 gets closer, Rule knows the trek is going to be incredibly hard. He knows he’ll get sick to his stomach. He knows his body will ache. He knows there will be moments he feels like dying.

“I know there will be moments when I ask myself ‘Can you do this, Dale? Do you have it in you?’ We’ll get it done.”