Grinch to appear for charity photo op

If you drop by Polished Studios this Saturday, your heart might just grow three sizes.

By Karina Andrew • December 6, 2022 1:30 am
Photo provided From left, Brandon Graham Foundation board members Nikki Breaux, Michelle Armstrong, Debbie Vescovi and Ashley Bindschatel attend Brian Williams’ “Think Kindness” event at Coupeville School District. All four board members have lost loved ones, including Graham, to suicide, and felt prompted to further the foundation’s cause.
Photo provided From left, Brandon Graham Foundation board members Nikki Breaux, Michelle Armstrong, Debbie Vescovi and Ashley Bindschatel attend Brian Williams’ “Think Kindness” event at Coupeville School District. All four board members have lost loved ones, including Graham, to suicide, and felt prompted to further the foundation’s cause.

If you drop by Polished Studios this Saturday, your heart might just grow three sizes.

The Oak Harbor salon will host a charity event from 3 to 6 p.m. Dec. 10 featuring the Christmas season’s most notorious holiday-hater, the Grinch.

The infamous green Dr. Suess character might be a “mean one,” but he’ll be appearing for a nice cause — all proceeds will benefit the Brandon Graham Foundation, a Whidbey-based anti-bullying and suicide awareness organization.

Brandon Graham, a 2007 Coupeville High School graduate and husband, father, son and brother, died by suicide in August of last year. His family members created the foundation in his honor after his death.

The foundation raises money for mental health, anti-bullying and suicide prevention resources for Whidbey Island schools, including speakers, assemblies and trainings for teachers and parents.

The foundation has already brought one speaker to the Coupeville School District; Brian Williams spoke to all students in the district about his motto, “Think Kindness,” in September.

Foundation President Michelle Armstrong said her daughter and niece who attend Coupeville Middle School reported that they and other students are still finding kind notes in their lockers as a result of the assembly.

At Saturday’s event, cookies, hot cocoa and photos with the Grinch will be available by donation. Money raised at this event will help fund a speaker for the Oak Harbor School District, hopefully sometime this spring, Armstrong said. Polished Studios is located at 861 SE Pioneer Way.