"You Couldn't Have a Better Neighbor" -- Paul Harvey

From the King County Journal in the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. County (near Seattle)

COVINGTON — A $10,000 donation from Wal-Mart has saved the annual Covington Days Parade.

The Covington Lions Club, organizers of the festival on July 28 and 29, were thinking about canceling the parade when staff at the Wal-Mart store offered the donation, said Judy Swanbeg, a Lions member and co-chairwoman of the event.

"We are so thankful," Swanbeg said Tuesday.

It costs about $30,000 to sponsor Covington Days, Swanbeg said. Besides the parade, the annual family event includes a carnival, street fair, live entertainment and other activities.

The Lions had raised about $20,000, including fees from vendors, plus private and business donations of about $7,000. That left them about $10,000 short.

That shortage of $10,000 is about how much it costs for the parade, for overtime for police officers and city employees for traffic control, street closures and detours, plus other expenses, Swanbeg said.

"The parade is the most expensive part of the event," Swanbeg said.

Officials at the Covington Wal-Mart store will present a $10,000 check at 10 a.m. today to Lions Club members, city officials, King County Council member Reagan Dunn and other local residents.

The community parade on July 28 is open to "anybody who wants to join," Swanbeg said. A variety of bands, dance schools, youth organizations and clubs and local residents take part in the annual event.

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