Ed Lynch
Honored by the Salvation Army on Thursday
Others Award:
Ed Lynch.
Business Award: Biggs Insurance Co.
Youth Awards: Amy Howard and Breanna Bannan, high school seniors, for their volunteer contribution to the Red Kettle Campaign.
Vancouver philanthropist Ed Lynch was presented with the Salvation Army’s most prestigious service award Thursday during the organization’s annual community luncheon, Harvesting Hope.
The Others Award presented to Lynch honors an individual or organization who exemplifies an extraordinary spirit of service to others and exceptional service to the community, according to the Salvation Army.
Sharif Burdzik, Chairman of the Salvation Army’s advisory board, said, “Ed has made significant contributions to many nonprofits in our community, including The Salvation Army and the Clark County Food Bank. Today, we honor Ed Lynch for his decades of service to our community, and for his lasting commitment to The Salvation Army.”
Victoria Durham, a graduate of the Salvation Army’s Moving Forward Together program, spoke about how her life of substance abuse and reckless living had left her distraught and hopeless. After being referred by a Washington state Child Protective Services worker, she turned to the Salvation Army for help.
Determined to turn her life around, she began making positive changes. Today, she has her child back, a valid drivers’ license, her own car and a job with the state of Washington.
More than 200 guests attended the luncheon held at the Heathman Lodge. Although attendance was higher than last year’s event, donations were down.
Steve Rusk, business administrator for the Salvation Army in Clark County, said that the organization expects to receive more donations in the coming days from those who attended. Rusk says the organization uses the money for its programs, which provide housing and food to Clark County people in need.
