Former mayor describes Amigos ‘big presence’

For lifetime resident and retired Mayor Cheri Farivar, Leavenworth would not be Leavenworth without The Five Amigos.

“Those guys are such an asset to our community, and have always been so,” Cheri said. “Leavenworth needs the Amigos.”

Cheri grew up in “the biggest little town in Washington.” She remembers Leavenworth before it built the Bavarian village in the ‘70s, when the primary employment was physical labor in fruit orchards and logging—industries in which her father worked to support his family.

“They’re such a vibrant part of the community. The footprint of the Dwelling Place is huge.”

— Retired Mayor Cheri Farivar

Although Leavenworth’s residential population within city limits remains around 2,000 people, it now attracts millions of tourists a year to its thriving arts and theater community, its festivals, outdoor recreation and the Bavarian downtown, which boasts an astounding 41 restaurants.

The Amigos are woven into the fabric of Leavenworth. Besides working jobs all over town, they participate in a special needs theater company that puts on a popular production each summer. They attend festivals, sporting events, and compete in the Washington State Winter Special Olympics, which is held annually in the North Central Washington area.

“People are visiting here all the time, and when they see these wonderful guys being such valued members of the workforce and community, I think it speaks volumes for the kind of people we have in Leavenworth. Interfacing with the public is one of the most valuable things The Amigos do. These men are a gift to the community. They are so personable, and they are so bright and vibrant in their interactions with people!”

Cheri first got to know Matt Bangsund and his parents, John and Kathy, when she and her husband enrolled their two sons in the Upper Valley Christian School where Matt attended, and John and Kathy were teachers.

“My two sons grew up with Matty,” Cheri said. “Being in school with him for all those years, they have developed a real heart for people like Matty that I don’t often see in the wider society. Generally, we don’t see Down Syndrome kids in school with regular kids, so that they’re normalized together. Matt Bangsund changed the way our family thinks about developmental disabilities.”

Cheri recalls the day that Matt got a job at the local Burger King. His second day on the job, their family went over for lunch to support Matt and celebrate his achievement.

“How exciting that was for our kids to see Matty working in a retail establishment, a restaurant. I think the outreach that Kathy has accomplished with each and every one of The Amigos, working outside in the community, is yet another step towards a better understanding of adults with developmental disabilities.”

Cheri admires The Dwelling Place’s faith-based approach to serving both The Amigos and the community.

“We have fewer and fewer of the charitable institutions like this and more and more of the state-supported institutions.”

State-supported institutions may be less driven to interact with the community since the funds they need to operate are guaranteed each month, the former Mayor explained. Because The Dwelling Place is strongly dependent on the investment of its friends and partners, its staff and board of directors are more mindful of staying connected, and serving as a resource for the wider special needs community.

“By the very nature of its need for charitable contributions, The Dwelling Place is forced to be a bigger presence in the community. And they are a big presence,” Cheri said. “That’s how Leavenworth became the Bavarian Village. Leavenworth was built by volunteers. I grew up being part of the volunteer force. And I think The Dwelling Place is built on that same platform of being a big presence in volunteering, working, being part of a church family. All of that is such a valuable asset to any community. They are an example of how it should be. They give; they are not only asking for support but giving support.”

Cheri recalls The Dwelling Place’s ice cream social fundraiser as a popular event on the town’s community calendar when neighbors can look forward to being together.

“Although it does raise money, and it’s a successful way of raising money, it’s really about people getting together. Everybody was interacting with the Amigos and learning how The Dwelling Place operates.”

Cheri hopes Leavenworth and the broader valley recognize the priceless asset they have in The Amigos, and give back to the five men and their “excellent” staff who have given so much to Leavenworth. 

“They’re nonpolitical; they’re noncontroversial; they’re such a vibrant part of the community. People can come together around The Dwelling Place. The footprint of The Dwelling Place is huge in this community, and it can be much larger—and it should be. Everyone loves The Amigos, but they don’t probably know where they live or how they live. That’s the word that needs to get out.”