What happens when you take a group who have faced struggles and add some determination and fun? Meet Team Laugh Out Loud. The group started in 2008 as a Relay for Life team and are now dedicated to helping Lewis County individuals and non-profit organizations through fundraisers all year long. “We have all been touched by some of the issues we try to address or help with,” says Cristie Dodd. “That’s why we work so hard for these organizations.”
In their tenth year, the group meets once per month to discuss projects. At their first meeting, the group discusses who they’d like to help and why, and agrees to the year’s projects. This is subject to change as needs arise. The group chooses fundraisers that are fun and works to keep costs down to make the most profit for the organizations they’re supporting.

The group’s most recent fundraiser was the ninth annual Redneck Car Show in Napavine on July 29. The car show is unlike any other, featuring local kids with jacked up trucks covered in mud and flags. The group also hosts fun children’s activities during the car show. This year the car show benefited The Cat’s Meow which works to reduce feline euthanasia with low and no-cost spay and neuter services, as well as the socialization and adoption of feral kittens.
Team Laugh Out Loud held a bake sale in May at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds where they raised $240.50 to buy supplies for the Housing Resource Center of Lewis County. With that donation, they made fifty supply bags to hand out to those in need.

At a spring Bunco fundraiser for The Chip Guy and God’s Portion Ministry, the group raised $227 for warehouse maintenance.
There’s still time to help Team Laugh Out Loud this year. Their fundraisers are a blast and help those in the community who need it most.
There’s an upcoming Bunco Night on August 22 to benefit Lewis County Work Opportunities at 6:30 p.m. at the Chehalis Moose Lodge. The $20 admission goes directly to the organization and includes the game and a yummy nacho bar.
A Sips N Sliders event on September 22 at 6:00 p.m. at Flood Valley Brewing Craft Taproom will benefit a local single mom whose cancer has come back for the third time. She needs a special surgery and chemo treatment all the way in New York.

In October, Team Laugh Out Loud will be hosting a super fun Zombie Run and will have another bake sale booth at the community garage sale.
Another special project from Team Laugh Out Loud was a spring flower basket fundraiser. They raised $665 to buy gas cards for patients at the Cancer Care Center. “A majority of our team members have either fought cancer themselves or have family members who have had and/or have lost family members to cancer,” says Deanna Anderson. “About three years ago, we decided as a group that we wanted to help more local organizations who are serving people here in Lewis County. Two of our members have received chemo treatments here in Centralia. We have both been cancer-free for about three years but continue to see doctors every six months. It keeps the cancer center on our radar, so to speak.”

Team member Megan Gongas, who works for Pacific Mobile Structures, asked her company to send matching funds to the cancer center to be used for hotel stays. This allows patients who need out-of-area care to receive it with less financial strain at an already difficult time.
Team Laugh Out Loud meets at least once a month at various restaurants to show their support to the community. If you’d like to be involved, contact them through their Facebook page or via email. They always welcome new members to assist in their FUNdraising efforts.
“We have all struggled at one point or another financially,” says Cristie Dodd. “We randomly seem to come across someone with a story and feel compelled to help them. I think most importantly at the end of the day, it’s about giving back to our community and paying it forward.”
Kelly: kellystigers@yahoo.com
Cris: cristied1974@hotmail
Megan: rzspcs02@yahoo.com