Keet Benefit Walk
Dear Editor: Keet Gooshi Heen would like to shout out a big thank you to Heleena VanVeen and the SEARHC Health Promotion Stride 365. On Sept. 7 they sponsored a 5k run/walk and donated the proceeds to our school. Every first Saturday of the month they host the 5k run and donate the proceeds to a variety of nonprofits.
They raised and donated $470 which will be used to support students. The proceeds will be spent on Healthy Activity Scholarships.
Principal Casey Demmert,
Keet Gooshi Heen
Elementary School
Recovery Walk
Dear Editor: I wish to thank all the community members who participated in the Recovery Walk on Saturday, Sept. 14. Over 45 people attended the walk which traveled from Harrigan Centennial Hall, over the bridge and back. A special thank you goes out to Vera Gibson and Alec Duncan of Sitka Counseling for organizing the event and doing all the logistical arrangements.
The goal of the Recovery Walk was to raise awareness about mental health, substance misuse and addiction related issues, and that recovery is possible. September is Recovery Month and we invite all individuals and organizations to take time to reflect on how we, as a community, can better support those individuals struggling with mental health and substance misuse issues.
On Saturday Sept. 28 at 6 p.m. at the Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi Tribal Community House a Recovery potlatch and potluck will take place. There will be food, fun, games and more.
Loyd Platson, Sitka Counseling
Sitka Jazz Festival
Dear Editor: The Sitka Jazz Festival would like to thank the entire community of Sitka and all of the support we continue to receive!
This year’s festival marks the 25th year for the Sitka Jazz Festival! A momentous year we cannot wait to celebrate with our community and festival goers. The festival will run Feb. 6-8, 2020, bringing world-class musicians, great jazz music, and hundreds of student participants from every region of our beautiful state. Over the years the festival has grown into an exceptional opportunity for the community of Sitka and we couldn’t be more proud.
The Sitka Jazz Festival would like to thank our outstanding donors in the community. Without the support of Mary and Roger Hames of Hames Corporation, Stan Filler from Sitka C.H.A.R.R., Scott Harris of Harris Aircraft Services, Chris Balovich of CBC Construction, Sitka Alaska Permanent Charitable Trust, Rich Riggs with Silver Bay Seafoods, Roger Schmidt of the Sitka Fine Arts Camp, Westmark Sitka, Tonya and Mike Venneberg with Venneberg Insurance, Trish and Dirk White of White’s Pharmacy, countless other businesses, and individuals throughout the community, none of this would be possible. We thank you!
Of course, the festival would not be what it is today without the many volunteers putting in countless hours behind the scenes working to create the most spectacular multi-day event, so a giant thank you to everyone who contributes to making the Sitka Jazz Festival the outstanding event it has become. You are more appreciated than words could ever express!
As we prepare for the 25th anniversary of the Sitka Jazz Festival, we continue to need your support. If you would like to donate to the festival, you can do so on our website at sitkajazzfestival.com or contact the festival director to find out about volunteer opportunities.
Stayed tuned for our upcoming artist line up!
Mike Kernin, Nichel Kernin,
Sitka Jazz Festival
