Sequim Gazette staff

Eight years and growing strong — to the tune of 291 pounds.

That’s the total Sequim youth Sam Manders collected in tab tops for the Ronald McDonald House, thanks in large part to an outpouring of generous community donors.

In all, Manders and his helpers collected 493,536 tabs to support the Portland, Ore.-based house that provides a “home away from home” for families with seriously ill children.

This year felt different for Manders, says mom Kathrin Sumpter. 

“So many people were contributing, the collection seems on ‘auto-pilot.’ There are the usual donors, but they’re getting their friends, families, businesses and organizations involved,” she said.

The pair stopped by the Ronald McDonald House last week and were once again greeted by Director Tom Soma and Communications Manager Chad Greenwood.

“We got a tour so we could see the changes that have taken place in the last year,” Sumpter said. “It feels like visiting old friends and Sam’s a minor celebrity there.”

Manders said he plans to continue collecting for Ronald McDonald House through his senior year (Class of 2014) and would like to hand off the effort to someone locally.

“It’s such a worthy cause and it’s getting easier every year,” Sumpter said.

Contributors for Manders’ effort this year include Chris and Frank Ransom, Nancy and Sandy Goldstien, Anna Bourquin, Joye Barrett, Donna Gallaher and the Sequim Prairie Grange, Lorin Greene and Frick Drugs, Christlyn Hill, Gene and Maura Mattson and the Footprinters, Diana Cristina, Della Loska, Clark Culver, Gail Sumpter, Blue Sky Real Estate and Blue Sky Property Management, Ingrid Lehrer, Jackie Robins, Kathryn and Neil Fridley, Jan Reichl, Ann Olson, Joanne Alford and the Peninsula Friends of Animals, Linda Frick, Judy Harniss, Lyn Lawson, Mary Dahl, Marguerite Glover, The Oasis Bar & Grill, Neva Fowles, Doug Atterbury, Patrice Davis, Carroll Gates, Agnew Helpful Neighbors and all the bingo players, QFC, Eric and Kathie Fehrmann, Teresa Stone, Debra Trussel, The Veterans of Foreign Wars, Peter Black Real Estate, Candy Olmer, Chrissy Amundson, Sequim High School and Sequim Martial Arts.

For more information about Ronald McDonald House, see www.rmhcoregon.org or call 971-230-6700.