Shahn McGuire won the San Juan Lion’s Club annual shopping spree for the second year in a row. During the four-minute spree, she was able to grab approximately $2,007 dollars worth of food, all of which she is donating to the Friday Harbor Food Bank, minus a couple of chocolate bars.

“For two years in a row, to give the entire spree to the food bank is so generous, and truly shows the true meaning of Thanksgiving,” said Pat Vannest, Friday Harbor Food Bank Board vice president. The event took place Nov. 20, at 1:30 p.m. at Kings Market, with an enthusiastic crowd watching. The Lions also raffled off three turkeys; those winners were Andy Zall, Ruth Fleming and Rikki Swim.

The odds of a winner not just winning twice but twice in a row are, “Who knows!” said Jim Carroll, chair of the fundraising event.

McGuire was thrilled to have won a second time, and not for her and her family’s sake.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to demonstrate generosity and love,” she said.

McGuire had her aisles picked and route planned, she told Lions members before the race began. According to her husband, Dan O’Bryant, the couple called the food bank to see what items were most needed prior to the spree.

As the race began, Lions members and O’Bryant followed McGuire with extra shopping carts as she ran down the aisles. The groceries filled seven carts, which Kings Market checkers began ringing and boxing up as each one became full.

Not only did McGuire manage to outdo her winnings from last year, $1,076.95, but it was also the largest amount of food attained by a spree winner over the course of the event. The donation also ranks as one of largest the food bank has received, according to Mark Schwinge, food bank board member. He noted Camp Nor’wester donates all leftover provisions which is one of the few donations that tops McGuire’s. Her generosity will provide food for community members in need throughout the coldest months of the year.

The crowd of Lions, food bank volunteers, friends, supporters and curious shoppers cheered while McGuire filled up seven carts. Kings Market checkers had already begun ringing and boxing up her winnings by the time her four minutes was up.

The Lions Shopping Spree has been going on for 29 years, Carroll said. All proceeds go toward local scholarships. These scholarships are awarded to high school seniors for high education, or tech schools. The raffle to enter for the shopping spree sold an unprecedented amount of tickets, according to Carroll, at a total of 3,744. Some people preferred just to give a donation rather than participate in the raffle, so between sales and donations, the funds raised $3,895.30.

Carroll also gave thanks to Kings Market and Market Place owner Verne Howard, as well as the stores employees. He extended thanks to Kris Brown, owner of Printonyx, for printing the raffle tickets and banner, as well as the new owners of Friday Harbor Marine Repair, Gary and Ludie Westby for letting them park the 11-foot-tall grocery cart in their lot. The grocery cart had been parked around town for the last several weeks in order to garner attention for the fundraiser.

“None of this would have been as successful without everyone above including the community support, nor as much fun,” Carroll said.

Staff photo/Heather Spaulding Staff photo/Heather Spaulding Shahn McGuire watches while cashiers ring up her loot.

Staff photo/Heather Spaulding Staff photo/Heather Spaulding. Shahn McGuire with Kings Market employees, Taylor Clark and Frank.