Aiming to 'bring a little joy': TrolleyLocal fundraiser raises almost $2K for Nippon families
The bingo and silent auction fundraiser held on Sunday near Lake Sacajawea's Martin Dock raised nearly $2,000 for the families affected by the fatal May 26 Nippon chemical spill.
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Around 50 bingo players, volunteers and vendors braced the scorching heat to support the community with an option to participate in the online silent auction as well, outside the sun.
The auction included prizes such as tickets to see country singer Clay Walker, admission to Astoria museums, a family photo session from Ashylie Weber Photography in Longview, and a $100 gift certificate towards workout classes at Longview's Urban Bungee.
The sponsors of the event included KLOG/KUKN/101.5 The Blitz, Longview Parks and Recreation, Cowlitz County Habitat for Humanity and TrolleyLocal.
Christine Randall
Christine Randall, 50 of Longview, marks a spot on the bingo board during the bingo and silent auction fundraiser for families affected by the Nippon chemical spill on Sunday at Lake Sacajawea. Randall was one of the organizers of the event and wanted to bring the community together.
Bringing joy
Event organizers Christine and John Randall know what it's like to go through a tragedy. The husband and wife both lost their fathers within the span of a year due to accidents.
"We really understand what it's like to see someone one moment and lose them the next," John said.
For years, these owners of TrolleyLocal have been involved in local charities. After the recent tragedy at the mill, they wanted to take action.
"With everything that's been going on, we wanted to help out in some way," Christine said. "We wanted to bring a little joy and funds and help however we could."
John Randall
John Randall, 51 of Longview, speaks into a microphone during the bingo and silent auction fundraiser for families affected by the Nippon chemical spill on Sunday at Lake Sacajawea. Randall and his wife Christine both lost their fathers to accidents within the span of a year, so they understand what the victims of the spill are going through and wanted to help them.
Dan Roper, 60 of Longview, also plays a big role in community service. He runs the construction department at the Cowlitz County Habitat of Humanity in Kelso. He helped set up and take down the tables and tents at the event on Sunday.
Roper emphasized the importance of raising money for the families so they can pay their bills.
"They lost the breadwinner, they lost the person that meant the most to them, so that's why I'm here," he said. "If we can get some of their mortgages paid and put food on their table for a little while, that's just great."
Dan Roper
Dan Roper, 60 of Longview, plays bingo during the bingo and silent auction fundraiser for families affected by the Nippon chemical spill on Sunday at Lake Sacajawea. Roper runs the construction department at the Cowlitz County Habitat of Humanity in Kelso and helped out during the event.
Stephanie Vitus, 37 of Longview, lives right by Nippon. When the opportunity came to support the families of the victims, she wanted to join.
"I'm a really emotional person, so I was just really saddened by it," said Vitus when the news broke. "Just to see people come together when it's needed is nice, and I like to be a part of that."
Stephanie Vitus
Stephanie Vitus, 37 of Longview, smiles as she takes a photo during the bingo and silent auction fundraiser for families affected by the Nippon chemical spill on Sunday at Lake Sacajawea. Vitus lives near the Nippon mill and has her drivers from Specialty Concrete in Kelso frequent the area often, making the accident hit close to home.
As the daughter of the owners of Specialty Concrete in Kelso, she said the company has drivers go to the mill all the time, making it hit a little too close to home.
"Do I put them in danger on a daily basis without knowing it?" she asked. "It kind of just made me assess where I could let them go."
Lindsey Thomas, 50 of Castle Rock, is the owner of Didymus Ink in Castle Rock and put together a face painting station at the event. Also a reverend, Thomas said she came to fundraiser to bring positivity.
"As a minister, I try to help people through difficult times," she said.
Lindsey Thomas
Lindsey Thomas, 50 of Castle Rock, had her face painted during the bingo and silent auction fundraiser for families affected by the Nippon chemical spill on Sunday at Lake Sacajawea. Thomas said she came to bring positivity to the community following the tragic accident.
PHOTOS: Bingo, silent auction to support Nippon victims
Check out scenes from Saturday's event.
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This story was originally published June 15, 2026 at 12:40 PM.