06/18/2026
Awesome turnout!!
Syros Fundraiser Raises Approximately $2,500 for Hester Family as Community Rallies in Support
The Whatcom County community once again demonstrated its generosity this week as a fundraiser held at Syros Greek & Italian Restaurant in Lynden raised approximately $2,500 for the family of late Nooksack Mayor and former Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office leader Kevin Hester.
According to Syros co-owner Cody Barry, the two-day fundraiser served roughly 175 customers and generated donations through both special menu sales and cash contributions. Half of all baked pasta entrée sales, along with funds collected through donation jars, are being directed to the Hester family.
The event was organized in the days following Hester’s passing. Chief Hester spent more than 30 years serving Whatcom County through the Sheriff’s Office before later continuing his public service as mayor of Nooksack. His death has prompted an outpouring of support from residents, local governments, law enforcement agencies, businesses, and community organizations across the region.
Barry said the success of the fundraiser reflected the strength of the community and the willingness of people to come together during difficult times.
“It truly takes a village to come together during difficult times, and once again our community showed up in an incredible way to support the Hester family,” Barry said.
Preparing for the event required a significant effort behind the scenes. Barry credited Syros employees, volunteers, and local businesses for helping make the fundraiser possible. The restaurant’s kitchen staff spent long hours preparing meals, including batches of the restaurant’s scratch-made meat sauce, which can take nearly 10 hours to prepare.
Barry also thanked Franz Bakery for donating additional bread used for garlic bread orders, along with volunteer servers who stepped in to help manage the large turnout.
The fundraiser came during an especially meaningful week for Barry and his family. While staff and volunteers were helping lead the second day of the event, Barry and his wife, McKenzie, welcomed the birth of their son.
“McKenzie was in the kitchen working on Monday and our baby boy came Tuesday,” Barry said. “We weren’t able to be there, but our staff and volunteers did amazing.”
Barry said the response from the community highlighted just how many people wanted to honor Hester’s memory and support his family.
“None of this would have been possible without everyone who donated, volunteered, shared our posts, placed orders, or simply showed up,” Barry said. “We’re proud to be part of such a generous and compassionate community.”
Although the fundraiser dinners have concluded, Barry said individuals who would still like to support the Hester family can contact the restaurant for information on additional ways to help.
For many throughout Whatcom County, the fundraiser served as another reminder of the lasting impact Hester had on the communities he served. The strong turnout reflected not only support for his family, but also the respect many residents continue to hold for a man whose career in law enforcement and local government spanned more than three decades.
Article by Fernando Gonzalez, Bellingham Metro News.
