Hospital Auxiliary
Dear Editor: In this time of giving, we would like to thank the Sitka Community Hospital Auxiliary for their generous donation to the Sitka Homeless Coalition.
The coalition formed to create a winter night shelter for the homeless men in Sitka. Though we have yet to land upon a shelter location, we continue to educate ourselves as to how other communities across our country are solving this problem. This gift of support reassures us that we are raising awareness to the needs of these individuals and are hopeful of a location in the near future.
With grateful thanks,
The Sitka Homeless Coalition
Peg Shea, secretary for SHC
Crosswalk
Dear Editor: In recent days both the vehicle speed tracking sign on Katlian Avenue and the pedestrian crossing at Peterson Avenue and HPR have been inoperable. I’ve been told that their solar arrays are not keeping their batteries charged during these short, overcast days. I hope the powers that be can find a solution (perhaps a larger photovoltaic array). The dead of winter is the worst possible time to be bereft of these safety tools.
Pete Roddy, Sitka
Sitka Nutcracker
Dear Editor: The Sitka Nutcracker ballet tradition is one I very much enjoy. Some of the aspects that strike me are: the performance, the music, and all the hours of work that go into it. The direction and choreography were as expected, top notch.
Gratitude goes out to the dancers and their parents, technical help, stage hands, organizers, the variety of people, and the wide age ranges. The Sitka Preforming Arts Center provides an excellent venue. What struck me this year, was a more personal awareness of how much it is a part of Sitka and how much that speaks to the values and sense of community that make Sitka the wonderful town it is.
One more perspective that stood out and makes this show work is Melinda McAdams, the director. Along with Melinda, and a cast of amazing helpers, they bring to the entire project a strong sense of group unity and trust. This makes the entire ensemble of cast, crew, and parents feel safe and supported, on stage and off. A community within the community. Thank you.
Jeff Budd, Sitka
Helping the Homeless
Dear Editor: On Dec. 10, 2018, the Sitka Homeless Coalition began offering access to shower and laundry facilities to Sitkans in need. Twice a week we have been regular customers at Sitka Laundry Center, where our volunteers have dispensed quarters, detergent, towels, toiletries and conversation.
To date, we have provided 642 showers to 82 different Sitkans, spending $3,360 on showers and $3,597 on laundry. Although the ultimate goal of the coalition is to secure long-term housing for unsheltered Sitkans, this shower and laundry project has significantly improved the quality of life for this population while we continue our efforts for a more permanent solution.
Our heartfelt thanks go to individual Sitkans who have supported us through donations of cash and supplies, as well as those special volunteers who have staffed the project. Our crew is small but stalwart.
If you feel moved to add your support to our efforts, we invite you to contact Gayle Young at 747-7978.
Dorothy Orbison for
Sitka Homeless Coalition
Babies and Books
Dear Editor: Sitka Babies and Books engages young readers and their families through a variety of free events, activities and through the provision of books. These efforts would not be possible without the help of our volunteers and donors.
We want to extend our sincerest gratitude to the 2019 volunteers and donors who helped make Sitka Babies and Books a flourishing part of the community:
“Fun with Forests,” T.J. Witherspoon (January 2019); “February Party” with Sitka Babies and Books Board, Mina Brooks-Schmidt, and Mt. Edgecumbe Students (February 2019); “Tales to Live” with Gajaa Heen Dancers (March 2019); “Rhymes and Shadows” with Mary Stevens and Kristy Corduan (April 2019); “A Universe of Stories,” Sitka Babies and Books Board (May 2019); “A Musical Summer Story Time” with Sitka Summer Music Festival violinist Ledah Finck (June 2019); “A Family Forest Event” with T.J. Witherspoon (September 2019); “Halloween Extravaganza” with Sitka Babies and Books Board and Mt. Edgecumbe Students (October 2019); “Sitka Nutcracker” with Sitka Studio of Dance (November 2019); “The Blueberry Deer” with Jackie Fernandez-Hamberg from the Sheldon Jackson Museum (November 2019); “Honoring Native American Heritage” with Gajaa Heen Dancers and Chuck Miller (November 2019); Doug Osborne; Friends of Sitka Public Library; Jerald Neal; Sitka CHARR; White Elephant Shop; Rotary Club of Sitka.
Thank you all for your continued support. We look forward to 2020 and another year of dynamic programming for children.
The Sitka Babies and Books
Board of Directors:
Maricruz Vega, Irene Ferguson, Ally Witherspoon, Marilyn Guhl, Maite Lorente, Lois Rhodes,
Jane Seesz, Jennifer Tulloh
and Cheryl Vastola
