Decadent desserts raised nearly $9,000
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'Be the Difference'
was the theme at this year's Community Connections Dinner and Auction,
where more than 500 participants truly made a difference on March 6th,
attending and contributing to the event. Those in attendance bid and
raised their paddles to support CHS through an overall effort of more
than $110,000.
Annually, CHS reaches more than 10,000 individuals, encouraging personal
success by creating opportunities to develop skills, so that individuals
and families are empowered to identify and draw upon their personal
strengths and capacity for growth. This growth transforms personal
change that contributes toward a healthy and vibrant community. CHS
encourages positive mental health, prevents and treats addictions,
supports youth academic success, assists parents' engagement in their
children's learning, and strengthens relationships and parenting skills.
CHS Thanks our Sponsors...
The 2010 event brought with it a repeat of many former sponsors, together
with the fresh new relationships of brand new supporters, some of which
stepped up from their 2009 status as program advertisers to 2010 sponsors. CHS would like to thank
Boeing
for their continued support as a Gold Sponsor, while welcoming
Puget Sound Energy to the list of sponsors. Boeing has supported
our annual event since 2005, strengthening our programs through their generous
commitment to give back to their local communities. This year, Puget Sound Energy
stepped up from their previous Bronze Sponsorship to join Boeing as one
of two Gold Sponsors, which together provided
a significant boost to our success. CHS thanks both Boeing and Puget Sound Energy
for their contributions as our two Gold Sponsors.
Repeat sponsors included our Silver Sponsor: Group Health Cooperative,
together with our Bronze Sponsors: BECU, the
CHS Board of Directors, CityBank, Dr. Greg and Kay Elam
and James Alan Salon.
In addition, we'd like to welcome aboard first time Bronze Sponsors:
the Dale Turner YMCA and Shoreline
Bank who both stepped up from their previous years' support as advertisers in the program,
and board member Linda Cufley and spouse Gerald Cufley
who joined the ranks as first time Bronze Sponsors. Additional connections formed three
inaugural Bronze Sponsorships with Evergreen Health Care,
Moss Adams and RH2 Engineers. It is
through the connections within our communities that we reap the benefits
of this fabulous support, which allows us to
see success in this event year after year. Thank you very much to our sponsors.
Committee Insight...
Through the diligent work of this year's auction committee, made up of board members
and staff, the event was a tremendous success. The committee included
Board Members Dom Amor(Puget Sound Energy), Kathi Effenberger(Balanced Books),
Joe Meneghini(City of Issaquah), and Shauna Wendt(Children Hospital), and CHS
Development Director, Heather Fritts, led by co chairs Colleen Blake(Group Health)
and Karen Fernandez(Evergreen Healthcare).
The committee combined past experience and organization with new insight and energy, seen through the
beautifully decorated silent auction tables, the more than twenty live items, and a
smoothly refined check-in/check-out process. These processes and seemingly endless
behind-the-scenes logistical and accounting procedures, vied for endless procurement
hours to engage sponsors, advertisers, and donors who provided items from toys to books, jewelry to clothing,
and artwork and wine. Yoga and spa experiences, together with gift baskets and packages galore,
finished off the silent tables' presentations.
Being the Difference...
The evening began at 6:30 as guests were welcomed through the doors of the Lynnwood Convention
Center, and set forth to mingle and bid on a variety of silent auction item experiences, gift baskets and packages galore,
including a 'Shaken, Not Stirred' martini basket, a 'Running' and 'Princess Bunny' basket, and
Yoga and Oscar Party packages.
Shortly past 7:00 everyone was seated while Colleen Blake, CHS Board President, and Beratta Gomillion,
CHS Executive Director, welcomed guests and made introductions. Beratta then partnered with CHS past
President, Nick Pealy, to round out the program with award presentations honoring Betsy Geib,
volunteer with the CHS Northshore Special Families program and the Vineyard for their individual
and organizational outstanding community support.
Contributors, Guests, Participants...
Auctioneer Paul Brittan joined emcee Steve Wilson, both of Stokes Auction House,
for a repeat success story for CHS, kicking off the live auction with twenty-five items. Highlights included an A-Z wine
cellar produced concocted from the CHS Board of Directors' personal finds, a trip to La Pax, Mexico,
offered by Board Member Emeritus - Matthew Fairfax of James Alan Salon, a stunning,
one of a kind just under one carat, pear-shaped diamond pendant, procured by Colleen
Blake from master diamond cutter Brian McHardy, an overnight stay at The Inn at the
Market with dinner certificates at Canlis Restaurant, and a week long luxury condo
stay on the Oregon coast, procured by Heather Fritts offered by Alan and Sue McRobert of
Happy Camp Luxury Condo.
The live auction took a short break while guests bid on beautiful glass center pieces,
hand made at Hubbell Art's Redmond School of Glass, and their favorite desserts
presented by local artisans such as Kafe Neo and Finales Desserts, together with handmade
and purchased desserts to complete the dessert dash choices. A short video was presented
thanking contributors for their past support, showing their strength in numbers through
former contributions, and appealing to their necessary continued support to assure CHS
programs continue to strengthen the community through counseling, education and support to
children, youth, adults and families.
And...What a Difference...
raising more than $110,000, and almost reaching last year's record can make. These funds will help
allow CHS to support and continue its valuable programs, including Play and Learn Groups,
Loving Families, Student Suspension Alternative Program (SSAP), Scriber Lake Stars, and so
many more. Our community's generosity comes at a highly necessary time. CHS expresses its
utmost appreciation to the individuals and businesses for their generous support from auction
volunteers and committee members, to the donors, sponsors and guests, and to the many table
hosts who helped to make this evening a success!
Continue Being the Difference...Give a Gift
