The PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center Foundation raised more than $260,000 at its largest ever fundraiser gala in Ferndale June 9, according to a press release. The annual event celebrates and thanks the community for supporting St. Joseph Medical Center.
The "Care, Share, Inspire" celebration sold all 600 tickets for the event that transformed the IMCO General Construction warehouse into a ballroom.
Mark McCampbell, chief development officer for the Medical Center, said those people attended are vital to development of the new, single-site cancer center now under construction.
Awards for significant and inspirational contributions were presented to the physicians at Northwest Radiologists Inc.; to Dr. Ralph Rinne, Physician Philanthropy Leader of the Year; to Bob and Lisa Bailey, Philanthropists of the Year; and to Dennis and Sylvia Holmstrom, Inspirational Leaders of the Year.
Major sponsors of the event included IMCO, Mills Electric and Mount Baker Imaging, Anderson Construction, "Bellingham Alive" Magazine, Garys' Mens & Womens Wear, Saturna Capital, Sanitary Service Co. and TradeWinds Capital Management. Helping out with the event were vendors, including Haggen, True Bliss Events, Hand Crank Films, Baron & Co., Ashley Paulina, Edye Colello-Morton, Premiere Graphics and Pacific Party Canopies.
DISPUTE RESOLUTION CENTER CELEBRATES 20 YEARS
Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center celebrated its 20th anniversary June 20 with a fundraising luncheon at Northwood Hall for more than 150 volunteers and supporters. More than $10,000 was raised to continue conflict mediation, training and education.
According to Ellie Rogers' press release, the celebration featured the unveiling of a promotional video about the center, produced and donated by Current Media Productions, as well as speeches by Mayor Kelli Linville, center founder Barbara Rofkar, board president Kacey Alleman and board member Dave Doll.
Executive Director Moonwater CQ closed out the event, expressing gratitude for all in attendance. Sponsors of the event included Let Them Eat Cake, Cascadia Weekly, Current Media, Joan Cervisi, Trader Joe's, Abby's Gallery of Homes, Back in Motion, Barkley Boulevard Dental Care, Bellingham Police Association, Bellingham Tennis Club, Boundary Bay Brewery, BP America, Buri Funston Mumford, CAZ Energy Services, Employment Law Compliance, Ferndale Quiznos, Judge David Grant, Judge Matt Elich, Keith Cox Autobahn, Law Office of Randy A. Doucet, Northside Dental Care, PetStop, Raven''s Way Counseling, Repanich Dental, Schmidt Orthodontics, The Chimney Sweep, Tollhouse Energy Co., Tree Frog Night Inn, Village Books and the Whatcom County Bar Association.
BLUE SKIES HONORS COMMUNITY PARTNER
Mick Jolly, owner of Karate Quest, was honored as Community Partner of the Year 2011 by Blue Skies for Children, a nonprofit agency that grants "little wishes" for homeless, low-income and foster children.
Mick, a former Whatcom County sheriff's deputy and U.S. Secret Service special agent, started Karate Quest in 2007. The Ferndale business that offers karate, boxing, mixed martial arts and kickboxing instructions recently expanded to a second location in Fairhaven.
"Blue Skies for Children has been blessed to partner with Jolly since 2009," Blue Skies Executive Director Julie Guay said in a press release.
Mick donated services valued at more than $10,000 just in 2011.
"We partner with many agencies and nonprofits as well as many for-profit organizations that provide enrichment type services such as dance, music, art, swimming and martial arts, and more, and we appreciate our relationship with all of these organizations," Guay said, "but none have given more altruistically to Blue Skies and our community than Mick Jolly and his team at Karate Quest. Jolly is extremely passionate about children, his art, and giving back to the community and we wanted to honor and share his extraordinary generosity."
CREDIT UNION SUPPORTS FUNDRAISERS
The "Sweat Equity Team" from Whatcom Educational Credit Union put together a group to participate in Whatcom Volunteer Center's Human Race. Twenty runners and walkers raised more than $1,300 in support of the center at the May event, according to a press release.
In June, credit union staff raised $580 for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services of Whatcom County.
Out and About runs Mondays in The Bellingham Herald. Julie Shirley is the Executive Editor of The Bellingham Herald. Contact her at julie.shirley@bellinghamherald.com.
Reach JULIE SHIRLEY at julie.shirley@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2261.
