The Rotary Club of Marysville is probably best known for its annual Pumpkins for Literacy Patch which raises funds to promote literacy in local schools and which funded the recent distribution of dictionaries to approximately 1,200 third-graders in the areas 10 elementary schools.
But the club is also involved in the community in a number of other ways, including its recent donation of $250,000 to the Marysville Historical Societys Capital Campaign Fund, aimed at helping the societys planned museum come to fruition. Marysville Rotary President Gordy Bjorg presented the quarter-million dollar check to Marysville Historical Society President Ken Cage on Feb. 29.
The Rotary Clubs recent contribution will help the society in its efforts to raise $3 million for the museum and its operation. Cage is hopeful that the Capital Campaign will be able to raise $2 million by May so that the society can apply for a state grant which would match 50 percent of what the society is able to raise on its own.
To reach that goal, the society is accepting donations of all sizes, whether large or small. There are several levels of support which have been selected to honor the pioneers who created Marysville. They range from the $10,000 Founder, to the $250 Dairy Man to the $25 Berry Picker, and a variety of levels in between. All donors of $500 and up will be honored on plaques permanently displayed in the new museum. The Marysville Historical Society is a 501(c)3 and donations are tax deductible. For more information call 360-659-3090 or stop by the Capital Campaign Office at 1508-B Third Street, Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.. You can also go to the societys Web site at www.marysvillehistory.org.
It should also be noted that the Marysville Historical Society is hosting its fifth annul Spring Tea, April 13, 2-5 p.m., at the Marysville Opera House. The menu will include a variety of cookies, cakes, breads, tea sandwiches and desserts, along with coffee, hot tea and hot chocolate for the kids. A vintage fashion show will be presented by the Seattle Goodwill. In addition there will be a silent auction. For more information about the societys Spring Tea, call 360-659-9626.
The Marysville Historical Society uses the saying, A museum is not just a building full of old stuff. A museum is a record of time, a place and its people. The society and its members should be commended for their efforts to bring about a museum to showcase our history and the people who came before us. Their efforts deserve our support and we should follow the example of the Rotary Club of Marysville by contributing what we can to help the societys efforts.
Kudos to the Rotary Club of Marysville, and its members, for their significant contribution to the historical societys Capital Campaign Fund which will help preserve our history for generations to come. And kudos to the Marysville Historical Society and its members for their work on our behalf.

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To contact a member of The Marysville Globe/Arlington Times editorial board Stuart Chernis or Scott Frank e-mail forum@marysvilleglobe.com.