Jon and Diane have lived in Ferndale for 33 years, most of that time serving the Ferndale Alliance Church as the lead pastor and director of children’s ministry. Through the church and its membership, the Mutchlers have served and assisted countless Ferndale area families over nearly three decades help navigate the normal and extraordinary challenges of life.
Jon has volunteered in the past as a Bellingham Fire Department support officer (also called a police/fire chaplain). Most of the calls that Jon responded to were to comfort the relatives of victims of tragic deaths: suicide, drug overdoses, accidents. One early police call that Jon responded to was to the widow of a former high ranking Ferndale official who had taken his own life. He was later asked to perform that funeral at Green Acres.
Related to his work as a chaplain and as a pastor, Jon has volunteered to perform numerous funerals for families without a pastor or a church. Jon has also done many weddings, outside of his congregation, without renumeration.
Jon is the longest serving volunteer board member of the of the Whatcom County Pregnancy Clinic, serving and assisting in a variety of areas to help this vital ministry and service to our county.
Jon is a professional piano teacher and has taught many area students at free or reduced rates. He has partnered with Blue Skies for Children in providing music lessons at low cost.
Jon has volunteered and helped build over 50 homes through the Whatcom Skagit Housing Authority (“Self-help homes”). This program gathers 8-10 families to build ten homes at a time, with each family requiring 35 hours/labor week. Jon is proud to drive through several Ferndale neighborhoods and see that he has had a small part in helping families get into their first homes. Jon’s son, Thomas, is building one of these homes now on South Church Road. Last year Jon was appointed to the board of directors of Whatcom-Skagit Housing.
Jon often performs piano without charge, at venues like retirement homes, senior centers, schools, etc.
Jon has accompanied hundreds of Ferndale kids (at little or no pay) for their “solo and ensemble” competitions.
As a former member of the Ferndale Downtown Association he has volunteered in various ways, including the annual Pumpkin Festival and Cleanup Days. He also initially set up their web site. And, as a member of the Chamber of Commerce he usually helps at the Street Festival at “Mel’s Hotdog Stand” to raise money for the city Christmas lights.
Jon is also an Old Settler’s Association trustee, and volunteers for various service projects like the downtown Christmas lights and Pioneer Days.
This partial list does not include the countless number of young people and kids whom we have helped and served by simply inviting them to participate in our many family activities with our children.
Jon has a long record of public and private volunteering and investing in the growth and success of Ferndale and its citizens and families.
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