Thank You, White E
Dear Editor: Thank you to the White Elephant for the generous donation to Blessings in a Backpack. Sitka Blessings in a Backpack currently provides supplemental food to 95 students in need at Baranof, Keet Gooshi Heen and Blatchley Middle School.
The Sitka program is part of a national non-profit and all donations are used to support Sitka students who may otherwise have little or no food to eat on the weekends. Sitka High Honor Society students took over the packing and distribution this school year. A special thank you to Sitka High seniors Emma Falvey and Coral Papoi who made sure the monthly pack happened and bags were distributed each week to the three schools. Many other Honor Society students helped each week.
If your child would like to be part of this program, please contact one of the school counselors. If you are interested in making a tax-deductible donation to this program, please contact Kathy at 747-8710 or go online to www.blessingsinabackpack.org. Be sure and note Sitka Schools so your donation is directed toward our local students.
Our family started this program six years ago and it is time to pass it off to another family or individual. If you are interested in coordinating this program starting August 2018, please contact Kathy at 747-8710. Thank you for all the donations and volunteer time provided which helped prevent hungry children in Sitka.
The Falvey/O’Gara Family, Sitka
Denim and Diamonds
Dear Editor: The second annual Denim and Diamonds beer- and wine-tasting was held Feb. 2. On behalf of Sitka Youth Sports, we would like to thank the following businesses, organizations and community members for their support and contributions.
The Sitka Elks Lodge 1662 opened their doors and hosted the event for us. The lodge provided staff time, permits and location. Chef Jo shined at the event with her outstanding food and some amazing handmade décor. Of course, a beer and wine event can’t be done without our distributors, Baranof Island Brewing Co, Odom, Specialty Imports and K&L. House of Liquor provided the support for participants to purchase items at the event that they enjoyed throughout the evening. Slack Tide joined us this year with exceptional live music. Our local Sitka Coast Guardsmen did an outstanding job of running the show. They kept everything in order from the taking tickets at the front door, helping the kitchen staff and everything in between.
This community is truly amazing having so many different groups and people volunteer their time to come together to provide a safe, fun and giving event for our Sitka youths. Thank you, Sitka!
Susan Suarez for
Sitka Youth Sports
Clean Commute
Dear Editor: Feb. 28 marked the final day of the Sitka Winter Clean Commute Challenge, and we’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who participated in the monthlong challenge.
Together we prevented over 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere, simply by leaving gas-powered vehicles behind and taking some trips on foot or bike during the past month. We look forward to more clean commutes in the future! In health,
Holly Marban,
Health Educator, SEARHC
Doug Osborne,
Director of Health Promotion,
Sitka Community Hospital
