Volunteer Appreciation
Dear Editor: On April 23, Brave Heart Volunteers hosted their Volunteer Appreciation Banquet and Fundraising Gala, Spring UP Into Action. A sold-out crowd of 200 amazing volunteers, donors, and friends gathered together for a local seafood dinner to recognize the outstanding support and volunteerism of the Brave Heart Volunteers family.
Honorary recognition was given to Diane Marx, Kathryn Snelling, Greta Ryan, Steve Lawrie, Sarah Lawrie, Debi Teri, Christine Davenport, Mallory Inman and Connie Kreiss for their extraordinary contributions to our community and to individuals and families facing chronic or terminal illness, grief, and bereavement. Together with the other volunteers, donors, and partners that make up the Brave Heart Volunteers’ family, these honorees sustain and nourish the BHV mission of providing free services to those facing some of life’s greatest challenges.
Special thanks to Seafood Producers Coop and Sitka Sound Seafoods for donating rockfish to Collette and Ludvig’s Bistro so they could prepare a sumptuous three-course Caribbean feast. Thanks to our corporate sponsors: ALPS Federal Credit Union, Alaska Communications, Coastal Excavation, Sea Mart, and Venneberg Insurance for their financial contributions that ensure all donations raised are directed toward sustaining our free services.
Ruth Culp, the Friske family, Lily Herwald, Sheri Mayo, Dr. Naylor, and Lureen and Bert Stedman sponsored tables or individuals so our volunteers would not have to purchase their own tickets. Thank you!
“Jazz on the Rocks,” featuring Mike and Iko Sullivan, Peter Apathy and Roger Schmidt provided just the right touch to welcome our guests upon arrival and kept the atmosphere afloat with their tremendous ensemble.
Christine Davenport captured the joy expressed during the event with her amazing photography. Tiffany Pearson creatively frosted over 200 cupcakes. Fire Chief Dave Miller brought the house UP as master of ceremonies. Thank you!
Thanks is due to Bernadette and The Backdoor Café for lunchtime sandwiches and coffee. Of course, Brave Heart Volunteers is thankful for Harrigan Centennial Hall and the assistance from their helpful staff.
And last, but never least, we thank all those in the community who bought a ticket, a cupcake, or a helium balloon. Together you “Floated the House!” and are instrumental to Brave Heart Volunteers to keep our services free to all Sitkans. Our hearts are filled with gratitude. With Heart,
Julie Simpson, Program Director,
Brave Heart Volunteers, Sitka
Dessert Auction
Dear Editor: The Baranof Elementary School Parent Advisory Committee would like to thank the community for generously supporting our dessert auction at Family Fun Night on April 25.
Due to their contributions, our dessert auction was a huge success. The following businesses generously donated items: Sea Mart, The Backdoor Café, The Highliner Coffee, Bayview Pub, Nugget Restaurant, Little Tokyo, Homeport Eatery, Larkspur, Chocolate Moose, Agave’s Restaurant and Westmark Sitka.
Also, we would like to offer a great big thanks to the families and staff of Baranof who created delicious desserts to donate. We can now continue to provide the students at Baranof extra opportunities such as artists in the classroom and free book giveaways.
Baranof Elementary School
Parent Advisory Committee
Democrats Convention
Dear Editor: The District 35 Democrats held their 2014 caucus and convention on Saturday, April 5, 2014. As attendees were determining election goals for the district the discussion turned to the unwillingness of Alaska Gov. Parnell and the Republican controlled Legislature to support Medicaid expansion would have:
–Benefited 40,000 or more Alaskans, many of them low income adults without children who currently have no health insurance.
–Reduced uncompensated care for health care facilities and hospitals.
–Brought in billions of federal dollars to Alaska.
District 35 Democrats are committed to electing candidates who share our goal of supporting Medicaid expansion.
Eric Jordan, Chair,
District 35 Democrats
