Thank You, Gayle
Dear Editor: Jumping on the gratitude bandwagon to shout out so much appreciation to Gayle Young, a Sitka treasure, for her steadfast devotion to and care for those Sitkans who are homeless. She heads up the Sitka Homeless Coalition (SHC) which has just started working closely with folks from the Sitka Health Summit on a major project – bringing warm and dry housing to those Sitkans who are living outside.
She is tireless, practical, and imaginative in her approach to this problem that she and others have been working on for over four years! So, kudos to Gayle for her dedication to caring for our neighbors who need our help. Stay tuned for ways you can help the SHC and its partners in bringing this project to completion.
Kathy Ingallinera, Sitka
Pandemic Response
Dear Editor: As a community member and faith leader in this community, I want to say thank you to the public health officials, and all those who have been assisting us in navigating these COVID-19 pandemic times by lending their expertise, knowledge and compassion for the well-being of everyone in our community.
I can honestly say, that like most of you, the ups and downs of navigating this time of the pandemic has been frustrating and tiring and a drain on my spirit. For me, thankfully, I am part of a faith community and engage in spiritual practices that have been supporting and guiding me through these difficult days. I’ve been reminded over and over throughout this time, to be mindful of my call to love my neighbors, by continuing to reach out and speak in ways that encourage, support, and uplift one another.
So, it grieves me immensely to hear of persons using words to spread the hate-filled analogy between the local public health care measures and the genocidal policies of the Nazis. It grieves me immensely that our Jewish friends and loved ones here in Sitka and in other communities, are having to listen to these baseless analogies to Nazism in stating their disagreement with how the government and local public health officials have been addressing the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is my hope that these harmful analogies will stop being used and that we can all use our voices instead to bring about healing in our community, by reaching out and speaking in ways that will encourage, support and uplift one another.
Thank you, once again ... to all of you, who are guiding us and leading us, faithfully, through these pandemic times.
Peace,
Rev. Julie Platson, Sitka
Veterans Day
Dear Editor: In advance of Veterans Day tomorrow, Southeast Alaska Independent Living would like to acknowledge and extend gratitude to the veterans in our community, and highlight the service of Alaska Native veterans to both our small community and the nation. We would also like to extend our gratitude to those who care for, support, and advocate for veterans in our community.
Even before the pandemic hit, there was a rising home health crisis, and additional strain from the pandemic has made it harder and harder for elders, veterans, and people with disabilities to get the care they need to be able to stay in our community. We extend our gratitude to the members of the community who choose these caring professions, and those who are working to make them more accessible and sustainable in the years to come.
Additionally, we want to inform the community of SAIL’s Veteran Directed Care Program through the Alaska Veterans Affairs Office. If you or a veteran you know needs personal assistance with tasks such as cooking, dressing, showering, etc, or if you’re a community member interested in supporting a veteran with these tasks, please contact SAIL at (888) 500-7245 or sitka@sailinc.org for more information. SAIL will help with the enrollment process and connect veterans to a personal budget from the VA which they can use to pay employees and purchase supplies that are crucial to independence.
SAIL is grateful for all of the veterans in our community and wants to be sure that all our neighbors are comfortable, safe and well taken care of.
In gratitude,
The Sitka SAIL Staff
20th Anniversary
Dear Editor: Brave Heart Volunteers recently celebrated our 20th Anniversary at the beautiful Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi Community House. Despite necessary pandemic-imposed restrictions, we had a nice turnout of past and present board members, volunteers, care receivers, and staff. It was humbling to see a roomful of people who share a common heart and deep commitment for serving those in need of compassionate care and companionship as they face illness, isolation, end of life, and grief.
We would like to thank Sitka Tribe of Alaska staff members Sandy Lorrigan and Leo Jimmy for their excellent help with preparations for our 20th Anniversary Open House. And a special heartfelt thanks goes to STA Cultural and Community Liaison Chuck Miller who opened our event with a beautiful blessing for BHV. Chuck’s auntie. Jessie Johnnie, and another elder, Henry Moy, were instrumental in bestowing us with our Tlingit name, Yee gu.aa yáx x’wán, which means Be of Brave Heart, so we were truly honored to have Chuck present.
We would also like to recognize and thank the Hames Corporation for their constant, steady championing of BHV. Their recent donation of $5,000 in support of BHV’s two decades of service is a prime example of their thoughtful care for the people of Sitka. Additionally, their ongoing gift of in-store credit allowed us to serve tasty cupcakes at our celebration. Thank you, Roger, Mary, Sea Mart and the Hames Corporation for your continual kindness and provision for BHV.
Another huge thank you goes to Alaska Airlines for donating two vouchers to our recent raffle fundraiser and to the Sitka Elks Lodge for coordinating the raffle. We are also grateful to all who sold and purchased raffle tickets, which helped us raise $9,090 for BHV. We couldn’t have done it without you all!
We also want to thank the Outer Coast College students and staff who worked to develop a short video about “what it means to be of brave heart,” which was shown at our celebration.
As always, we thank the Daily Sitka Sentinel and KCAW Raven Radio for their invaluable publicity of all our events, and we thank everyone who attended. It meant the world to the board and staff to be able to thank you all in person for your years of dedicated service. We are forever grateful to every past and present donor, volunteer, care receiver, caregiver, staff member, and board member affiliated with BHV; YOU are the reason we are still in service today.
Angie DelMoral, Executive Director
Brave Heart Volunteers
Book Tracks Event
Dear Editor: The non-profit Book Tracks hosted a successful bake sale fundraiser last month, thanks to the generous donations of community members.
John Weitkamp, Alicia Porter, John Stein, Jeff Budd, Jessica Ieremia, Bobbi Jordan, Elisabeth Schafer, Kari Sagel, Sadie Maher-Urias, EJ Treadway, Grace Ivers and Linda Johnson all donated baked goods ranging from freshly made breads to specialty cupcakes.
With their help, Book Tracks was able to raise $489.34 to go toward literacy events and programs around Sitka. A list of inclusive new children’s books has been purchased for the current and future Little Libraries around town, with additional free book giveaways planned.
Special thanks to SEACC building staff for letting us use your space and providing support. Further thanks goes out to the greater Sitka community, for aiding our charity and mission.
Mary Argubright,
AmeriCorps Volunteer,
Sitka School District
United Way Campaign
Dear Editor: I just finished serving nine years on the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly and during my tenure, I regularly witnessed members of communities across Southeast Alaska who needed support. Over those nine years, I attended Southeast Conference where I was able to listen to the concerns of citizens across the region firsthand.
What stands out to me the most is witnessing the way communities have responded to people in need in any way they can. One thing is abundantly clear, the citizens across our region are caring, giving, and supportive of those who need assistance and help.
I am honored to serve with Shauna Thornton as co-chairs of this year’s United Way Annual Giving Campaign. I have been a supporter of United Way for over 40 years, first giving through my workplace in the State of Alaska Share campaign. And when I retired in 2003, I transitioned to giving as an individual donor.
United Way of Southeast Alaska is an umbrella agency for 35 nonprofits throughout Southeast Alaska. Giving to the United Way is an easy and important way to support many organizations across the region. When you contribute, you can designate which agencies will receive the funds OR you can let UW make that designation. You can also choose to give to UW for its costs of providing services to other nonprofits.
Monthly donations can be made through your workplace giving campaign or through the UW website where you can make an online pledge for monthly deductions on your credit card. It is a fantastic way to grow those Alaska Airlines miles while you help United Way of Southeast Alaska, and our 35 partner agencies strengthen the education, income stability, and health of our region.
The United Way has administered several programs in the past year to address local needs. United Way helped to distribute COVID relief funding to many organizations in Southeast Alaska. These funds “… provided resources for local food pantries and food banks to continue to serve community members experiencing food insecurity because of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.” (United Way Annual Report). Funds went to seven organization serving 17 communities of Southeast Alaska. Over $6,800 went to Sika to assist the local food pantry.
I would ask again that you take this opportunity to give to the United Way or to any or all of the 35 partner agencies in Southeast Alaska. This is the time of year to set up your giving for all of next year.
Action + Compassion = United Way.
Please call 907-463-5530 or visit www.UnitedWaySEAK.org for more information.
Loren Jones, Campaign Co-Chair
United Way of Southeast Alaska
