Safeway says ‘thank you” with $100,000 check

Safeway wanted to say “thanks” to Oak Harbor’s military community so it donated $100,000 to the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society and raffled off two pairs of tickets to a Seahawks military-appreciation game. Representatives presented the money in a giant check at a store grand opening Friday.

Safeway wanted to say “thanks” to Oak Harbor’s military community so it donated $100,000 to the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society and raffled off two pairs of tickets to a Seahawks military-appreciation game.

Representatives presented the money in a giant check at a store grand opening Friday.

The nonprofit provides emergency financial assistance to active duty and retired Navy and Marine Corps personnel and their families.

“The donation will help countless Navy sailors and their families,” said Capt. Mike Nortier, commanding officer at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in a prepared statement. “It’s truly humbling to be part of such a great community.”

The Seahawks ticket winners are Rebecca Phelps and Eteinne Mendizabal. The grocery store gave out raffle tickets to active duty military personnel and veterans in the weeks leading up to the grand opening.

The winners get special treatment on game day, including sideline passes to watch the Seahawks warm up.

The store was formerly an Albertsons and is the first within the newly-formed Albertsons Safeway company to undergo a banner change with the merger of the two stores in January.