PORT ANGELES — Two fundraisers for the Goodwin family of Port Angeles raised about $19,000 to help with medical expenses related to chemotherapy for the family’s mom, Tami Goodwin, and to help the family have some time together on a vacation.
On Friday night, the student leadership class at Port Angeles High School played host to the community for a talent show that brought in about $11,000, said adviser Rachel Ward.
“It went really good — there were between 800 and 1,000 people there,” she said.
“There was a lot of good talent and nice acts — it was a really fun evening for both students and the family.
“The whole Goodwin family, even one from Georgia, made it except for Tami, who was not able to come.”
Cancer diagnosis
Tami Goodwin, a 1980 graduate of Sequim High School whose two daughters attended Port Angeles High School — has been diagnosed with a sarcoma, a cancer of the soft tissue.
The 47-year-old woman, an employee of Green Crow in Port Angeles, recently underwent a round of chemotherapy through the MD Anderson Cancer Treatment Center in Houston, which administered it at the Thomas Family Cancer Center in Sequim.
Goodwin’s 22-year-old daughter, Britany, is a hair-stylist. Danika, 19, is enrolled at Peninsula College and plays basketball there.
More than 30 acts of dance, music, balloon animal making and more entertained for a couple hours.
Port Angeles School District students in the Jazz Combo band won top honors in the talent contest, Ward said.
A dinner and silent auction added nearly $8,000 for the family when more than 300 people showed up at the Oak Table Cafe.
The auction of items from throughout the community netted about $4,100 and dinner added another $1,400.
And, based on pre-event pledges, an additional $2,500 is expected to come in from donors such as Green Crow.
Cathy Hoover, a close friend of Tami Goodwin who organized the dinner and auction, said it was a “successful and very fun evening.”
“Tami was there the whole night, and she did just wonderful,” said Hoover.
“She is one amazing person and is so grateful to the community for everything they have done.
Family help
“Her mother, Ellen [Arnbrister], has been awesome, and her sister Roxy [Wells] has also been there helping her all along.
“When she first got the chemo, she needed someone with her 24 hours a day, and Roxy was there.”
Sister-in-law Diana Young has also been helpful throughout Tami’s battle with cancer, Hoover said.
Hoover arranged for a nice set of luggage for Tami Goodwin in case the family decides to take a trip together.
“I don’t know if they have ever gone on a family vacation all together,” she said.
“So if they want to go and spend some time together, we hope some of what we raised can be helpful.”
Tearing up, Hoover said she was thrilled with how local businesses donated — including the Oak Table, which provided servers and a location for the event — for her friend’s time of need.
“She has touched so many lives,” Hoover said.
“We are so grateful.”
Donations can be made to the Tami Goodwin Fund at any branch of First Federal.
__________
Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladaily news.com.
