Foundation serves in memory of beloved Snoqualmie boy

Published 11:02 am Thursday, October 2, 2008

SNOQUALMIE – Snoqualmie Ridge neighbors know the anniversary of a horrible day last June is quickly approaching, but one group isn’t letting it pass with tears alone.

The Tanner Jeans Memorial Foundation has several events and designations lined up this year to help the community remember the 7-year-old boy who was killed in a bicycle versus car accident on June 23, 2004.

Tanner Jeans was a chipper little fellow with a love for sports and an outgoing personality. Laurie Gibbs, Tanner Jeans Memorial Foundation board member and secretary, said many people are still affected by the incident, which has inspired the community to increase safety awareness among Valley children.

“It was a big shock for a lot of people up here,” Gibbs said. “Tanner was such an outgoing kid, pretty much everybody knew him. I don’t think there’s a day that goes by that someone in the neighborhood doesn’t bring up his name or see Brian and Christen [Tanner’s parents] and ask how they’re doing. I believe everybody in the neighborhood is still affected by it.”

The foundation officially received its designation as a nonprofit organization last December and has been brainstorming programs to benefit Valley children, while keeping Tanner’s legacy alive, ever since.

The foundation has partnered with the Snoqualmie Police Department to co-sponsor its upcoming Bike Rodeo on June 18. The annual bike rodeo will now be called the Tanner Jeans Bike Rodeo and will be dedicated to the memory of Tanner.

The rodeo, which drew 300 children last year, is designed to teach kids the importance of bicycle safety just as children begin spending more time at play outdoors and on their bikes when school lets out. This year’s rodeo will include free T-shirts, ice cream and other fun stuff for Valley children. In addition to a bicycle obstacle course that teaches children the importance of bike safety, there will be inflatable bouncers and child identification safety booths. The Snoqualmie Police Department will provide free bicycle helmets to children who do not have one or whose helmet is damaged or defective.

The event will take place from 11 a.m.- 6 p.m. at the Snoqualmie Community Park on the corner of Center Boulevard and Southeast Ridge Street.

“We’re a lot more nervous about kids riding their bikes up here,” Gibbs said. “Everyone’s cognizant of the one year anniversary quickly approaching. Most of us up here are young families with children, as well. Though we can’t feel the pain [Tanner’s parents] have gone through, we can relate to it.”

The Tanner Jeans Memorial Foundation is also in the process of notifying all elementary school parents of the 10 Skyhawks Sports Camps scholarships to be offered in Tanner’s name. Each scholarship will be worth about $100 and will provide financial assistance for children who might not be able to attend the camps otherwise. The foundation initially paid for five scholarships and the Skyhawks matched their contribution. A flyer and application form will be going home with all elementary-age students this week or next week. The winners of the scholarships will be announced at the end of the school year.

“The main reason we chose [Skyhawks Sports Camps] is that Tanner was involved in those camps every summer. He was a huge sports fanatic,” Gibbs said.

A University of Washington College Scholarship is also in the works through the Tanner Jeans Memorial Foundation. Brian and Christen Jeans are University of Washington alumni and had hoped Tanner would also attend the school. Currently, a portion of Tanner Jeans Memorial Foundation funds are being placed in a long-term growth account to be used to provide a partial scholarship to the University of Washington for a Snoqualmie Valley child who will graduate in 2015 (Tanner’s graduating class).

The Tanner Jeans Field at Azalea Park is also on the way. The foundation was able to strike an agreement with the city of Snoqualmie in February to name the soon-to-be constructed multiuse T-ball/soccer field at Azalea Park “Tanner Jeans Field.” Gibbs said this is the first time in the history of Snoqualmie that any portion of a park has been officially named after anyone. Excavation of these fields should begin by the end of summer and children should be able to use them by the 2006 T-ball season. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is to be announced.

The second annual Tanner Jeans Memorial Golf Tournament and the Tanner Jeans Benefit Concert/Silent Auction will take place in October. The golf tournament will be held Oct. 23 and the date for the concert and auction is still pending. Both events, which raised more than $50,000 last year, will take place at the Tournament Players Course (TPC) on the Ridge.

To stay abreast of all Tanner Jeans Memorial Foundation events and programs, visit the foundation’s Web site at www.tannerjeans.com.