Stories about Local Champions

The Local Champions Blog highlights some of the amazing work our community accomplishes and motivates us all to work better together. We are lucky to work with so many champions who are a model for positive behavior change and influence us to go the extra mile. Our local champions are building connections within the community every day. Filter our stories by categories listed below or browse them all. We hope you’re inspired by the local champions in our community, too! 

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Four Friends Create A Worker’s Coop:  Bellingham Bay Builders

Four Friends Create A Worker’s Coop: Bellingham Bay Builders

Back in 2003, four friends, Dave Brogan, Ross Grier, Tim Smith, and Brian Forth, with years of experience in building, woodworking and timber framing became interested in the idea of starting a worker’s cooperative. In 2004, that idea became Bellingham Bay Builders....

Commitment to Community: Whatcom Educational Credit Union (WECU)

Commitment to Community: Whatcom Educational Credit Union (WECU)

WECU is not only a leader in banking services, they also strive to support education, health and community concerns through nonprofit donations and volunteerism. They offer many financial education opportunities, free of charge, to promote the financial literacy of...

Innovative Business Model: Terra Organic and Natural Foods

Innovative Business Model: Terra Organic and Natural Foods

Terra Organic and Natural Foods meticulous sourcing of products for their store is undeniable. Their enthusiastic support of local food and farming businesses includes taking staff out to visit farms. They boast Whatcom County’s only all-organic produce department....

Taking Care of Each Other: Colleen Unema and her staff at Brio Laundry

Taking Care of Each Other: Colleen Unema and her staff at Brio Laundry

Brio Laundry is widely known for their use of high-efficiency machines and sustainable practices, believing that the old approach of wasting water, electricity and gas is neither sustainable nor justifiable when better options exist. Owner Colleen Unema also has an...