Charity golf tournament raising funds for gateway sign, Kids Kloset

ARLINGTON — Organizers are using their creativity to fund a sign project in Arlington.

City employees and Arlington Arts Council volunteers will be holding a charity golf tournament at Gleneagle Golf Course on Saturday, Aug. 7.

Proceeds from the event will help pay for a gateway sign into Arlington — something the city has never had.

"The money raised will help fund a beautiful gateway sign, hopefully the first of many," said David Kuhl, community development director for the city of Arlington. "Our economic development plan originally talked about having a gateway sign for the community but it just never got done. It took leadership from those on the Arts Council and the city to make it happen."

More than $5,000 has already been raised for the sign, but Kuhl said an additional $5,000 is needed to construct the sign.

Kuhl's wife, Laura, serves as vice president for the Council.

Once funding is secured, crews will construct the sign along SR 530 so that drivers heading east will know what city they're going through, Kuhl said.

The Arlington City Council has already approved the design of the sign, which includes five salmon swimming above a rocky river bed with the mountains in the background.

The sign reads "Arlington Welcomes You."

"The original intent was to show how the background mimicked the mountains heading east," Kuhl said. "The back of the sign had different elevations, and salmon are there because of the Stillaguamish River connection."

Organizers are hoping to raise a few thousand dollars with the charity golf tournament. Twenty-five percent of the proceeds will also go to Arlington-based Kids Kloset.

Community members can register for the scramble tournament starting at 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 7. In addition to trophies, there will also be individual awards for a number of categories.

Organizers are also holding a raffle.

Cost for a round of golf, lunch and a cart is $65 per person.

Businesses interested in sponsoring the event can contact the city's permit center by calling 360-403-3551.

"If there is one thing I know about the town of Arlington, it is that if you need something done, our citizens rally behind it and it gets done and done well," Kuhl said.

Contact Arlington Times Reporter Adam Rudnick at arudnick@arlingtontimes.com or 360-659-1300 Ext. 5056.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.