SEQUIM — Benefit events scheduled to help the parents of a Sequim girl who died in October are an outpouring of love for the memory of a girl who family friends said was usually the one spreading the love.
When 11-year-old Violet O’Dell lost her battle against brain cancer Oct. 26, her loss touched people’s lives in at least two cities — in her hometown of Sequim and in Port Angeles.
Community support for Violet’s parents, Jessica and Jeremy O’Dell, is coming from many sources, including many community members as well as Peninsula College, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula and Angeles Academy of Hair and Nails.
The O’Dells cut back on their work schedules and took a leave of absence when it became clear that their daughter was not responding to cancer treatments.
They spent most of their time with her in her final weeks — leaving them unable to keep up with their bills.
In memory of Violet, many members of the community are stepping forward to help the couple get back on their feet.
Angeles Academy of Hair and Nails, owned by Scott and Amy Amick, will donate half of all hair and nail service proceeds between Monday and Friday.
Appointments for the weeklong fundraiser can be made at the academy’s salon at 1222 E. Front St., or at 360-417-0388.
“We want to get inundated, overrun,” Scott Amick said.
Amick said he works with Jeremy O’Dell as a vocational program instructor at the North Olympic Peninsula Skills Center, and while he never met Violet, he has a daughter about the same age.
Jeremy O’Dell also is the coordinator for Peninsula College’s welding department, as well as being a welding instructor.
The Peninsula College Foundation has set up an account for the O’Dells.
Checks should be written to the Peninsula College Foundation, with “O’Dell Fund” written in the memo line.
Donations can be dropped off at Room C-108 at the college or mailed to Peninsula College Foundation, 1502 E. Lauridsen Blvd., Port Angeles, WA 98362.
Contributions are not tax-deductible.
Violet was also an active member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula’s Carroll C. Kendall Unit in Sequim
The redheaded girl loved art, said Darci Ulin, unit director.
Many of the staff members at the youth club had become friends with Violet and were saddened by the news of her passing, Ulin said.
So, for one year, the art room at the club will be named the “Violet O’Dell Art Center,” she said.
The club also will frame some of Violet’s artwork, which will be auctioned at the Boys & Girls Clubs Simply Sweet Auction and Dinner, on Nov. 10 at 5:30 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Clubs’ unit at 400 W. Fir St. in Sequim.
Tickets to the dinner and auction are $125 apiece.
Proceeds from Violet’s artwork will be donated to the O’Dell family, Ulin said.
A Thanksgiving Day Harvest Dinner benefit for the O’Dells will be held from noon to 5 p.m., Nov. 22, at the Sunshine Cafe, 145, W. Washington St., in Sequim.
Donations also can be made to the “Fund for Violet O’Dell” at Chase Bank, 640 W. Washington St. in Sequim, or at the Chase branch at 101 W. Front St. in Port Angeles.
Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.