Dec 2014 Newsletter - Blue Skies For Children

Issue: December 2014
The Sunshine Times
2505 Cedarwood Ave. Ste 2, Bellingham, WA 98225 Phone 360.756.6710 • www.blueskiesforchildren.org
Thank you to our music
store partners for their
support of our musical
instrument loaner program:
Dear Friends of Blue Skies:
We wish to thank you for your devoted support of Blue Skies. With your
help, we will provide enrichment activities and other essentials for about
1,000 children this year. Thank you for donating, sponsoring, volunteering and attending our fundraisers. We are excited to go into 2015 with
You! Through 2014, we have continued to increase our service levels in
response to demand, while continuing to reinforce financial stability.
As an organization that solely exists on donations, grants and fundraising, we are pleased to tell you that 124 people turned out to support
Blue Skies 14th Annual Dinner and Charity Auction on October 11, 2014,
and raised over $60,000 net. This event is the key to our ability to
provide support in the upcoming year.
As we approach the end of the year, we hope you will keep Blue Skies in
mind when you plan your year-end giving, and invite you to sponsor a
child, donate a gently used coat or a brand new pair of shoes. If you
have a musical instrument collecting dust in your closet, please consider
donating it to Blue Skies Instrument Loaner Program. Wishing you and
yours a wonderful holiday season.
With Gratitude,
Julie Guay, Executive Director
Our 2014 Winter Warm Up Program
Want to help keep a local child warm this winter? Homeless, low
-income and foster families are scheduled to come in to our
office every 20 minutes throughout November and December to
pick up coats, hats, gloves, scarves and blankets. If you would
you like to help a family this season, we are in the greatest need
of new or gently used coats and blankets.
COATS:
We would love some brightly colored coats! We are in great
need of youth sized coats, especially size 8/9 for both girls and
boys. Both new and gently used (clean and zipper must work)
are welcome.
BLANKETS:
We are in need of warm quilts and fleece blankets. New and
very gently used clean blankets are welcome.
Thank you to our greater community for donating items in
support of our local homeless, low-income and foster children.
MOJO Music
Quist Violins
WindWorks
Thank you to the following businesses
who donated toward the purchase of
a much needed sax for our instrument
loaner program:
Blythe Plumbing & Heating Inc.
Mills Electric
Mistras Group
MOJO Music
Ram Construction
Recycling & Disposal Services
*******
A standing ovation is due to
George Mustoe for his keen
ability to find and donate so
many great instruments to
our instrument loaner
program.
Blue Skies would like to thank
Soles4Souls for their support the last six years!
We could not conduct our Shoe Give without YOU!
Thank you to our community for supporting our local
homeless, low- income and foster children:
Alcoa
Computers for Kids in Need
Lenny’s Bike Shop
Sleep Country USA
Smith Gardens
Village Books
Page 2
14th Annual Blue Skies Dinner & Charity Auction
Blue Skies for Children held its 14th annual dinner and charity auction at the Best Western Plus Lakeway Inn on Saturday October 11th 2014. The event was
well supported by the community raising $62,000 net. Major sponsors included Brambleberry Inc. and Otion Inc., Mt. Bakery Rotary, Stoneway
Electric Supply, and Haskell Corporation.
We wish to also thank our the many people that make our annual auction a success each year - to our tireless Board of Directors, and our staff - Julie
Guay, Maya Green and Samantha Stanley for all of their hard work. To our volunteers - Pam Needham, Trudy Shuravaloff, Cameron and Caitlin
Winkler, Cathy Campbell, Nicole Burdick, Amy Hoover, Suzanne Bair, and Lizzy - Miss Whatcom County. Thank you to Deanna Kangas,
owner of Simple Start Designs for her beautiful graphic design work.
Additionally, our heartfelt thanks goes to Dan Johnson of Johnson’s Towing for volunteering his time as auctioneer, and Bob Hagadorn, of Snapper
Shuler Kenner, for emceeing our event. A big thanks to Drew Graham, owner of Wanna Dance Mobile DJ for providing DJ services for the event.
The amazing event theme “Days of Wine & Roses” decorations were created and donated by Karen Trezise, and our appreciation also goes to M&M
Floral for their donation of a floral centerpieces for the head table.
Our deepest gratitude goes out to over (290) NW Washington businesses that generously donated auction items, our many incredible sponsors, and our
amazing and committed donors who came to the event and bid in support of helping our homeless, low-income and foster children. Because of YOUR
support we will be able to serve local children, in need, in 2015.
Thank You to our 14th Annual Dinner & Charity Auction Sponsors
Major Event Sponsors
BrambleBerry Inc &
Otion, Inc.
Haskell Corporation
Mt. Baker Rotary
Stoneway Electric
$500 Level
Ershigs, Inc.
Kloke Financial Services, Inc.
Moncrieff Construction, Inc.
Moss Adams, LLP / North Coast Electric
Samuels Furniture
VECA Electric & Technologies
$250 Level
CH2MHill
Gateway Controls
Gladys Hyatt, CPA PS
Judd & Black
Kevalena Properties LLC
Morgan Real Estate Management
NW Safety Signs &
NW Custom Signs & Graphics
Northwest Propane, LLC
Rice Insurance, Keith Wallace
Seth Carson Agency
American Family Insurance
The Little Red Wagon
The HUB / Unity Group
Volonta Corporation
A Special Thank You
to the following wineries that
donated to our Auction’s Wine
Tasting table:



Le Chateau
Lost River Winery
Vin du Lac of Chelan
Auction Inkind Sponsors
Alaska Airlines
4th Corner Communications - Video
Bellingham Herald - Advertising
Bob Hagado - Emcee
/ Snapper Shuler Kenner
Dan Johnson, Auctioneer
/ Johnson’s Towing
Drew Graham - WannaDance Mobile DJ
Karen Trezise - Decorations
Kathy & Randy Cross
/ Laserpoint Awards & Promotions
M&M Floral - Floral Design
Simple Start Designs - Graphic Design
Thank you to Dr. Prager’s dental office for
generously collecting pajamas for our kids in need!
Thank you to our WWU Comm 224, Alcoa and
the YMCA for conducting a coat drive!
A Big Thank You to our
Delicious Dessert Dash Donors
Albertson’s Bakery
Alice’s Pies
Bellingham Flatbread & Bakery
Barkley Haggen
Best Western Plus Lakeway Inn
Community Food Co-Op
Cupcakes Like it Sweet
Kelly’s O’Deli
Mad Batter Cupcakes & Confections
Mount Bakery
Nancy Shogren
Pure Bliss Desserts
Rhonda Van Nus
Shari’s Restaurant
Steakhouse 9
Silver Reef Casino, Hotel & Spa
Swinomish Casino & Lodge
The Cliff House
The Hotel Bellwether
Page 5
Blue Skies for Children offers much needed programs
Page 3
Thank You to Our
2014 BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
Our Little Wishes Enrichment Program grants little Wishes for ongoing support of lessons and activities
including, but not limited to, martial arts, team sports such as baseball, ice hockey, soccer, swim team, or footPresident:
ball. It also supports individual activities such as swim lessons, dance, ballet, gymnastics, ice skating, or horseGiang Ha
Assistant Controller
back riding, art lessons, or music lessons such as piano, violin or guitar.
Haskell Corporation
Our One-Time Little Wishes Program grants Little Wishes in support of school trip fees, summer camp
Vice President:
enrollment fees, bicycle & helmet, special needs equipment, tutoring, computers, school related supplies such
Cecelia Carson
as scientific calculator, or an ASB card (required to participate in school sports), sports fees and/or uniforms,
Real Estate Broker
cleats, and other items. The Little Wish requests we receive are as unique to the needs of each child.
MacDonough Real Estate
& WordCrafters NW,
Our Little Wishes Instrument Loaner Program loans musical instruments to children who wish to
Owner
participate in their school band or orchestra, but find they are unable to afford the monthly rental cost of an
Treasurer:
instrument.
Gladys Hyatt, CPA
Our Little Wishes Shoe Give-Away Program provides brand new shoes and socks for children in need
Retired, Moss Adams
each Spring.
LLP
Our Winter Warm Up Program provides children in need with coats, hats, gloves, scarves, and blankets.
Secretary:
Lisa Recht
Driver’s Education Scholarship Program provides scholarships twice per year for up to three students
Retired
ages 15 to 17 in need of taking Driver’s Education courses and can not otherwise afford the cost. For more
Directors:
information or to donate to any one of our programs, please call 360.756.6710.
Tony Criscuola
Project Manager
Blue Skies also administers:
VECA Electric
The Josh Fueston Swim to Live Program provides support for swimming lessons, swim team fees, and
swim therapy for children with developmental disabilities.
Ray Pierce
Corporate Safety Mgr.
Haskell Corporation
Be A Secret A Santa!
Did You Know?
Seth Carson
Owner, Agent
American Family
The Sleep Country USA Toy Drive for Foster
Blue Skies continues to be the
Insurance
Kids and “Be a Secret Santa” Facebook Photo
Contest is on now!
Shari Skinner
ONLY non-profit organization in
Accounts Receivable,
Sleep Country USA is working to help ease the transition for the
Whatcom County
Haskell Corporation
Northwest’s nearly 20,000 foster kids who may be entering into
a new home during the holiday
season. To ensure every
to hold the
Sheila Connors
foster child wakes up on Christmas morning to a gift, Sleep
Catering
Sales Manager
Better Business Bureau (BBB)
Country USA is asking its community to donate new, unBest Western Plus
gifts to any Sleep Country store through December
Charity Seal Accreditation, meeting all wrapped
Lakeway Inn
14th. Anyone making a donation is also encouraged to snap a
************
(20) requirements of the BBB.
photo of themselves while donating or shopping for a gift and
share it in the Sleep Country “Be a Secret Santa” Facebook
photo contest to showcase the spirit of giving. One lucky
winner will be chosen on 12/14 and shipped the gift of Santa’s
favorite sleep essentials, including an iPad Mini!
Interested in joining
Blue Skies for Children’s
Board of Director’s?
Meetings are held the third Wed
of each month. Call 756.6710.
Josh Fueston Swim to Live Program
Thank You
Wild Whatcom
Explorers Club!
Blue Skies celebrates Five Years of administering the
The Josh Fueston Swim To Live (JFSTL) Fund!
The JFSTL Fund currently supports swim lessons, swim
therapy and swim team fees for (13) thirteen homeless,
low-income and foster children.
Thirteen-13yo Girls
helped Blue Skies
stamp and address In memory of Seargent First Class Daniel Metz, a donation
from the Josh Fueston Swim to Live Foundation has been
our newsletter
made to Blue Skies for Children to provide funding for a
mailing!
child to attend one week of summer camp.
Our volunteers are
very important
to us!!
In memory of CPL Jamie McMullin, of the Canadian Armed
Forces, a donation from the Josh Fueston Swim to Live
Foundation has been made to provide funding for a child to
participate in a 10-Week session of Ice Hockey.
Page 3
Newsletter Title
Thank you to all who are
Little Wish Requests
Sponsoring-A-Child:
Andi Elliott
Anne-Marie Faiola
Ben & Chris Sutton
Bill Dodge
Billie Ershig
Bonnie Rice
Brian Miller
Caden Stoane
Erin Baker
Gerrit Loman
Gladys Hyatt
Gloria Zhou
Hardware Sales
Jackie Dressel
Jamie & Lynne Henifin
14 year old Sam is in the 8th
Grade. He has four sisters and
one brother. Sam loves to play
soccer at school with his
friends. When he grows up he
would like to be a Computer
Nina is 12 years old and in the
Programmer. Sam is hoping
7th Grade. She has three sisters
you will grant his little wish to
and two brothers. She enjoys
take guitar lessons!
her PE class at school and likes
Will you help sponsor Sam’s
to do cartwheels and the splits
guitar lessons?
at recess. She also enjoys playing
catch with the football and loves
watching football games with her
family. Nina wishes to take
Gymnastics. She says it would
make her more healthy and fit.
Ana is 6 years old and in the
first grade. She LOVES to draw
and color. She dreams of being
an artist, and wants to be an
art teacher when she grows up.
She also likes to create and
share her poems. Ana is the
oldest of three and has made a
Little Wish request for
Art Lessons.
Jan Bowman
Jim & Kristi Gruett
Jolene Hanson
Jon & Kerry Syre
Karen Barlean
Karla Roper
Kathy & Randy Cross
Kim Guadalupe
Carol “Kit” Hardan
Leslie Ellis
Margi Fox
Will You Sponsor A Child?
Rusty is a sweet 7 year old boy
who lives with his mom. He
has had behavioral issues, lacks
self control and displays disruptive behaviors. Rusty has made
a Little Wish for Taekwondo
and would greatly benefit
from martial arts.
Marie Hamro
Mary Ellen Shields
Matt Everson
Mayor Kelli Linville
Norm & Meg Vigre
Patrice & Ryan Valentine
Ari is 8 years old and in the
third grade. She is one of four
children. Ari loves horses and
playing with her stuffed animal
horses. Her favorite time in
school is Library time. She
loves to pick out a new book
to read. Ari says she is good at
handwriting and riding a bike.
When she grows up, Ari wants
to be a Farmer. Ari has made a
Little Wish request for horseback riding lessons. She
wants to learn to ride and to
care for animals.
Lilly is 8 years old an in the third
grade. She lives with her mom.
Her favorite subject in school is
science. She likes to play volleyball and loves to sing. Lilly is very
energetic and loves to jump and
tumble. Lilly’s Little Wish is to
take Gymnastics.
Patrice Clark & Bill Wright
United Rentals
Ray Pierce
Sandra Massey
Sandy & Jeff McClain
Sarah Rothenbuhler
Seth & Cecelia Carson
Shari Skinner
Sherriden & Dimi Hartman
Steve & Julie Guay
Terry VanDenBerg
Toni Taft & Janice Ward
Tony Criscuola
Vinnie Muscatell
Can You Help Grant a Little Wish?
Sylvia is 7 years old and in the
second grade. She is one of
four children. Sylvia loves PE
class, and enjoys singing and
swimming. Sylvia has made a
Little Wish request to take
dance lessons.
Annie is 9 years old and in the
fourth grade. She is one of
four children. She loves her
dolls and would love to learn
how to play the piano. Annie
likes school and her favorite
subject is math. She likes to go
swimming with friends and play
volleyball in P.E.. When she
grows up she wants to be a
hairstylist. Annie has made a
Little Wish for piano lessons.
Jess is a 12 year old boy that
loves to play soccer. He would
like to play in the Whatcom
County Youth Soccer league
that offers both indoor and
outdoor seasonal soccer. Jess
lives with his mom and two
siblings. Jess would like to be
able to play his favorite sport
with his friends, and has made a
Little Wish for Soccer.
Volume 1, Issue 1
Page 4
Welcome Shari Skinner, New Board Member
Blue Skies welcomes Shari Skinner as a
new board member as of May 2014.
Shari works in Accounts Receivable at Haskell Corp.
Shari says “Extracurricular activities such as band, sports,
and clubs are such a critical, but often neglected, aspect
of a child’s formative years. When a child participates in
these activities, they learn to be a part of something
bigger than themselves, and they learn to work together
for a common goal. These experiences enhance a child’s
self-esteem and provide important skill development for
their adult years. I love that supporting access to
these types of experiences is a big part of
Blue Skies for Children’s mission.
Thank you to GO Big
Paintball for hosting an
all day paintball event
in support of Blue Skies
for Children. To Christ
the King church, thank
you for your volunteer
support, and to Totally
Epic Events, and Kris
Countryman for your
coordination of the
event and the bands
Bellingham Sea Hawkers Club!
that came out to play.
THANK YOU!!
Local Bellingham Sea Hawkers Club
collected and donated 130 backpacks
filled with school supplies for our local
homeless, low-income and foster children.
Thank You so much for choosing
Blue Skies for Children as your charity of
choice for August!
Thank you to
our local
Fred Meyer
Employees for
Go Seahawks!!
choosing
Blue Skies for
Welcome Sheila Connors, New Board Member
Blue Skies welcomes Sheila Connors
to the Blue Skies board of directors
as of May 2014. Sheila works at The
Best Western Plus Lakeway Inn as a
Catering Sales Manager.
Sheila says “: was looking for an
organization that is committed to
serving local children, but what I am
getting from Blue Skies is so much
more! I love that Blue Skies is an
organization with local roots, devoted
to helping low-income children have
the same advantages as their peers.
Children to
receive a $1,000
donation.
Thank you to our
media friends for
their support
throughout 2014:
BBJ
The Bellingham
Herald
Bellingham Alive
Cascade Radio
Group
32 Kids are Awaiting a Sponsor
Are you interested in sponsoring a child’s Violin or Guitar Lessons?
Piano Lessons? Martial Arts?
Sports? Ballet? Art Lessons? Swimming Lessons? Many members of our community have stepped in to
help us reduce our waiting list. We currently have 32 kids awaiting sponsorship.
You can help a child right here in Whatcom County!
Just let us know where your interest lies, and you can help make a homeless, low-income or foster child’s
Little Wish come true! Call 360.756.6710 or mail in the form below.
Yes, I want to Sponsor-A-Child in 2014/2015!
Name
________________________________________________________________
Address
________________________________________________________________
City, St, Zip ________________________________________________________________
Phone
_____________________________ Email _____________________________
Select One:
_____ I wish to Sponsor A Child on a monthly basis. I understand the cost is $50/month.
_____ I wish to make a MONTHLY donation $___________
_____ I wish to make a ONE TIME donation $___________
Select One:
____ Please use as needed
____ Please designate funds to the following program:
_____ Little Wishes Enrichment (Preferred activity _____________________)
_____ One Time Little Wishes
_____ Instrument Loaner Program
_____ Shoe Program
_____ Winter Warm Up Program
Select One: _____ Check Enclosed
_____ Please charge my card (debit, VA, MC, Amex)
Card # _______________________________________________________ Expires _____ / _____
Card V-code ________(3 digits VA or MC / 4 digits Amex)
Card Zip Code _______________
I understand I can discontinue any ongoing support at any time.
Signature _____________________________________________________
Date ______________
Sponsor A Child Program - How it Works!
Blue Skies for Children’s Sponsor-A-Child program continues to grow each and every month. We are thrilled to have individuals and businesses
support our kids through our Sponsor-A-Child Donor Program! The program supports our Little Wishes Enrichment program offering children
who are homeless, low-income and living in foster care, an opportunity to participate year round in an educational enrichment activity.
Our Little Wishes Enrichment program supports up to 65 children in ongoing enrichment activities every month. Children enjoy learning horseback riding, art, ballet, piano, violin, martial arts, swim team, voice lessons, baseball, ice skating, and many other activities that their family may
not otherwise be able to afford. Enrichment activities keep children healthy and active. Enrichment programs keep kids off the street and
involved with their peers in positive and fulfilling activities that help build long lasting self confidence.
How the Program Works:
The Sponsor-A-Child program ties a sponsor and a Little Wish Enrichment program applicant together, and although the two shall never meet in
person, the sponsor may receive a photo of the child, their age, a brief story about the child, and quarterly progress reports updating the Sponsor on the child’s progress in their enrichment activity.
We are actively seeking sponsorship for our Sponsor-A-Child Little Wishes Enrichment and One-Time Little Wishes programs. Can you please help
us meet the needs of our homeless, low-income and foster children, and Sponsor-A-child for $50/mo? If you are interested in sponsoring a child,
or obtaining more information about this program, please call 360.756.6710.