An organization responsible for helping house Afghan refugees in the Pacific Northwest is getting a little help from a local business.
All of the proceeds from two weekend events at …
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An organization responsible for helping house Afghan refugees in the Pacific Northwest is getting a little help from a local business.
All of the proceeds from two weekend events at Chimacum Woods in Port Ludlow will be donated to the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service to help displaced folks find home.
Chimacum Woods, a species rhododendron nursery at 2722 Thorndyke Road, will host garden tours with refreshments from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18 through Sunday, Sept. 19, and Saturday, Sept. 25 through Sunday, Sept. 26.
Bob Zimmermann, who has owned the nursery for 45 years, said this “wine and rhodys” event will be the third he’s hosted in his 9-acre display garden.
The setting is more than unique. Plant purists won’t find a hybrid rhody in sight, but instead, more than 300 species rhododendrons native to the Northern Hemisphere will be available for sale or viewing.
Many have been propagated from seed hand-collected by Zimmermann from all around the world.
Twenty percent of plant sales will be donated to the refugee service, and while the event is free, Zimmermann emphasized that it’s the donations that will make the fundraiser a success.
Both Zimmermann and his wife, Beth Orling, are retired Lutheran ministers.
“We trust Lutheran Immigration Services,” he said.
“We can’t host a family here, it’s too remote,” he added, so their way of helping is to send funds directly to the organization.
Zimmermann estimates that there are 10 to 15 Afghan families who will be relocated in cities like Federal Way, closer to resources.
There may be entertainment outside of lively conversation, but Zimmermann isn’t positive yet. At a past fundraiser for Iraqi refugees, a teenage boy came with his drum and sang folk songs taught by his mother, which proved immensely popular.
Regardless, Zimmermann mentioned the enjoyment folks get by meeting over shared interests, and hopes folks will be generous.
Masks are welcomed in gathering spots, but not necessary in socially distanced garden areas.
For more information and directions, call Zimmerman at 206-383-2713 or Orling at 609-506-5865, or go online at www.chimacumwoods.com.
More about the refugee services can be found at csnw.org/our-impact/refugee-and-immigrant-services/.
