Raffle proceeds to benefit family of veteran who died in crane collapse

This year’s Mother Brundage raffle will benefit Andrew Yoder’s family.

By Ashley Hiruko • October 25, 2019 8:30 am
North Bend man Andrew Yoder was one of the four who died as a result of the Seattle crane collapse incident. Photo courtesy/Yoder family
North Bend man Andrew Yoder was one of the four who died as a result of the Seattle crane collapse incident. Photo courtesy/Yoder family

This year’s Mother Brundage Memorial Raffle’s proceeds will benefit the family of Andrew Yoder — a U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran who was killed when a crane crashed down in Seattle last spring.

Yoder, a 31-year-old ironworker who lived in North Bend, died on April 27. He leaves behind his wife and two young boys.

The raffle drawing will take place on Nov. 10, during an Ocean Warriors Birthday Party at the Volition Brewery in North Bend. The North American Self-Defense Association is putting on the celebration for the Marine Corps birthday.

The grand prize for the third annual Mother Brundage raffle will be four tickets to the upcoming Big & Rich show at the Snoqualmie Casino. It’s slated for Nov. 16. There will also be secondary prizes.

The tickets can be purchased for $5 each at various locations including the North Bend QFC and Mt. Si Sports and Fitness.

Jim Curtis started the raffle as a tribute to Jim “Mother” Brundage, a Marine Corps gunner. Curtis served alongside Brundage and explained that the nickname came from Brundage’s behavior overseas.

“He was good at helping the new guys who had just gotten into Vietnam, taught them what to look out for to keep from getting killed,” Curtis said. “I was one of those new guys he took under his wing. I attribute him for surviving that ordeal.”

Brundage passed away in Renton about four years ago. He was exposed to Agent Orange, Curtis said, and developed diabetes as a result.

Curtis said sometimes veterans are forgotten. However in Mother’s case, he was “going to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

To purchase tickets or for more information, contact Curtis at 206-422-8143 or by email at umibushi@yahoo.com. Tickets can also be purchased through the mail.