Early in January of 2024, the Schellin Family approached the Friends of the Pool and Park Foundation to see if they could help fundraise for the Chinook Pool and Park Project. Just prior to that, the organization had learned the devastating news that they were not the recipients of a very large grant that they had applied for. The kindness that the Schellin family had shown the organization was a breath of fresh air for the group and they are so grateful for their willingness to put forth a challenge to match $100,000 that the Schellin’s collectively agreed to donate towards the project.

Not only did they help initiate the matching funds from donations from near and far, but the amount raised went beyond the match amount, giving the foundation a boost of over $332,000! Not every member of the Schellin Family was able to attend the All Class Reunion in July, but the photo above shows a large gathering of the Schellin family. The Friends of the Pool and Park Foundation are beyond grateful for their amazing support, and they would like to say a huge thank you to the family for everything they have done to help the project and to all of the matching donors to the Schellin Family Match. As the saying goes, there are “dear hearts and gentle people” from Chinook, and this has never been more evident.

Pictured Back Row – L-R: Katie Unruh (Friends of the Pool), Brooke Nicholson, Brooklyn Terry, Logan Terry, Julie Terry, Nancy Schellin, Trevor Nicholson, Ashley MacLeod, Taylor Nicholson, Daniel MacLeod, Lesa MacLeod, Scott MacLeod, Jessica Aberg (Friends of the Pool). Front Row – L-R: Brent Schellin, Nellie Jo Nicholson, Karen Schellin, BJ Schellin. Kneeling is Miles and Christian Pitkannen.