Dec 2015 Newsletter - Blue Skies For Children

Issue: December 2015
The Sunshine Times
2505 Cedarwood Ave. Ste 5, Bellingham, WA 98225 Phone 360.756.6710 • www.blueskiesforchildren.org
Winter Warm Up Program
Did
you know that in 2014, Blue
Thank you for donating, sponsoring, volunteering and attending our
Skies
distributed nearly 2,700
events and fundraisers throughout 2014. We are excited to go into 2016
items to 722 children in need?
with You! Throughout 2015, we continued to increase our service levels
in response to demand, while continuing to reinforce financial stability.
Each child received a coat, hat,
Although we welcomed a few great new board members, we are sadly
gloves, scarf and a warm blanket,
losing two tenured board members, and hope YOU might consider joinand we are in the midst of our
ing our very dedicated board.
Winter Warm Up distribution again
As an organization that solely exists on donations, fundraising, and
this year! Thanks to Zumiez, Bed
grants, we are pleased to tell you that 136 people turned out to support
Bath & Beyond, Gary’s Men’s & ]
Blue Skies 15th Annual Dinner and Charity Auction on October 19, 2015,
Women’s Wear, Windermere,
and raised over $108,000. This is due to the astounding support of
Muljat & Coldwell Banker brokers,
community donations, sponsorship and individual giving. We exist
Debbie Galbraith & Friends for
because of you and your kind and generous support, and we thank you!
your very generous support and
As we approach the end of the 2015, we hope you will keep Blue Skies in
collection of items this year.
Dear Friends of Blue Skies:
mind when you plan your year-end giving, and invite you to sponsor a
child, donate a gently used coat, blanket or a brand new pair of shoes.
Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season.
With Gratitude, Julie Guay, Executive Director
Thank you to our music
store partners for their
support of our musical
instrument loaner program:
Quist Violins
WindWorks
MOJO Music
A huge thanks to
MOJO Music Discount
for your annual support of
Blue Skies at your
Community Music Event!
Thank you Sleep Train Foster Kids Program for all you do for
our Community! We LOVE being your distribution partner in
Whatcom County!
Can you Help?
Are you cleaning out your closets? Do you need to re-gift an
item? Do you want to help a local homeless, low-income or
foster child? Blue Skies serves children ages 6 to 18, who are
homeless, low-income or in foster care.
We love it when knitting groups and others get together to
support us!! Here is a list of things Blue Skies gladly accepts all
year long in support of our distribution programs:
New only, please:
Athletic Shoes (Sizes for ages 6yo to 18yo)
Socks
Backpacks
New or Gently Used:
Coats
Fleece Blankets
Hats
Gloves
Scarves
Musical Instruments
Thank you to our business partners for
supporting our local homeless, low-income and
foster children
Page 2
15th Annual Blue Skies Dinner & Charity Auction
Blue Skies for Children held its 15th annual dinner and charity auction at the Four Points Sheraton on Saturday October 19th 2015. The event was well
supported by the community raising $108,000! Major sponsors included Pacific International Grout, Umpqua Bank, Moss Adams, Haskell Corporation, and Barron Smith Daugert, PLLC.
We wish to also thank 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, Cathy Campbell, Zach Guay, Diane
Patterson, Lennette Corwin, Meghan Scrimgeour, Kasey Temple, and Miss Whatcom County. A great big thank you to our other volunteers,
Cameron Winkler who kindly dressed as the Grinch, and Caitlin Winkler who dressed as Thing 1, alongside Maya Green who dressed as Thing 2.
Thank you to Deanna Kangas, owner of Simple Start Designs for her beautiful graphic design work.
Our heartfelt thanks goes to Gaye Godfrey stepping in as auctioneer, Our event would not be the same without Mr. Bob Hagadorn, of Snapper
Shuler Kenner, thank you for emceeing our event and being a great sport by dressing in theme as our Cat in the Hat! A big thanks to Gary Bird of GMB
Entertainment for his expert DJ services for the event.
The amazing event theme “Oh, The Places You’ll Go” and all things Dr. Seuss decorations were created and donated by Karen Trezise,. Our appreciation
also goes to M&M Floral for their donation of floral centerpieces for the head tables, and Laserpoint Awards & Promotions for their donation of wine
glasses for our wine tasting table, blinky rings for the raffle table, and our logo’d blue bags for attendees to use to transport silent auction items.
Our deepest gratitude goes out to over (320) NW Washington businesses that generously donated auction items, our many incredible sponsors, and our
committed donors who came to the event and bid in support of helping our local homeless, low-income and foster children. Because of YOUR support we
will be able to serve local children, in need, in 2016.
Thank You to our 15th Annual Dinner & Charity Auction Sponsors
We really appreciate our
Auction Event Sponsors
This event is just not possible without our Business Sponsors!
$1000 Level
Moss Adams
Haskell Corporation
Barron Smith Daugert, PLLC
$500 - $750 Level
Ershigs, Inc.
Kloke Financial Services, Inc.
Local Union IBEW #191
Moncrieff Construction, Inc.
$250 Level
4th Corner Communications
Care Medical Group
Gladys Hyatt, CPA PS
Judd & Black
Kevalena Properties LLC
NW Safety Signs &
NW Custom Signs & Graphics
Northwest Propane, LLC
Seth Carson Agency /
American Family Insurance
The HUB / Unity Group







A Special Thank You
to the following donors that
donated to our auction and/or our
Wine Tasting table:
Claar Cellars
Dunham Cellars
J Wrigley
Lost River Winery
Samson’s Winery
Vin du Lac of Chelan
Young’s Market
Auction Inkind Sponsors
4th Corner Communications - Video
Bellingham Herald - Advertising
Bob Hagado , Emcee Snapper Shuler Kenner
Karen Trezise - Decorations
Kathy & Randy Cross Laserpoint Awards & Promotions
M&M Floral - Floral Design
Simple Start Designs Graphic Design
A Big Thank You to our
Delicious Dessert Dash Donors
Albertson’s Bakery
Alice’s Pies
Barkley Haggen
Community Food Co-Op
Cupcakes Like it Sweet
The Cliff House Restaurant
Four Points Sheraton
Keenan’s at the Pier
Kelly’s O’Deli
Lisa Recht
Mad Batter Cupcakes & Confections
Mount Bakery
Pam Reed
Pure Bliss Desserts
Shari’s Restaurant
Shari Skinner
Thank you to the YMCA for generously collecting
coats for our kids in need!
********
Thank you to our WWU Comm 224 class, for
collecting 40 Backpacks and financial donations
that supported the purchase of 72 more
backpacks through BluSource!
Page 3 Page 3
Blue Skies for Children Programs and Services
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 football. It also supports individual activities such as swim lessons, dance, ballet, gymnastics, ice skating, or horseback riding, art lessons, or music lessons such as piano, violin or guitar.
Our One-Time Little Wishes Program grants Little Wishes in support of school trip fees, summer camp
enrollment fees, bicycle & helmet, special needs equipment, tutoring, computers, school related supplies such
as scientific calculator, or an ASB card (required to participate in school sports), sports fees and/or uniforms,
cleats, and other items. The Little Wish requests we receive are as unique to the needs of each child.
Our Little Wishes Instrument Loaner Program loans musical instruments to children who wish to
participate in their school band or orchestra, but find they are unable to afford the monthly rental cost of an
instrument.
Our Little Wishes Shoe Give-Away Program provides brand new shoes and socks for children in need
each Spring.
Our Winter Warm Up Program provides children in need with coats, hats, gloves, scarves, and blankets.
Driver’s Education Scholarship Program provides scholarships twice per year for up to three students
ages 15 to 17 in need of taking Driver’s Education courses and can not otherwise afford the cost. For more
information or to donate to any one of our programs, please call 360.756.6710.
Blue Skies also administers:
The Josh Fueston Swim to Live Program provides support for swimming lessons, swim team fees, and
swim therapy for children with developmental disabilities.
Can You Help Sponsor a Child in 2016?
Twelve year old “Jessica” lives with her mom and brother in seclusion. They recently escaped a domestic
violence situation. Jessica now suffers from post traumatic stress disorder and generalized anxiety. Jessica is
working on building her self confidence and calming her anxiety. She has made a little wish request for
gymnastics. Jessica says it helps her stay calm and her mom believes it will help build her self-esteem.
“Eleanor” is just eight years old. She lives with her mom who has numerous health issues, and has had many
back surgeries this past year. Eleanor deals with sensory processing disorder, a condition that causes the
brain to have difficulty receiving information from the senses, and therefore causes overreaction or under
reaction to touch, sound, food textures, etc. Eleanor has made a little wish to attend Animals as Natural
Therapy. Her mom believes it will help her be more active, learn to socialize and assist in multiple therapies
relative to sensory processing.
Blue Skies for Children welcomes new board
member Pam Reed, owner of Alicia’s Bridal and
The Formal House. Pam previously served on the
Whatcom Women in Business Board for many
years, and brings both a strong business acumen
and non-profit experience to the board.
In 2015, Blue Skies also welcomes Kristin Costanza to the board.
Kristin works as the Associate Director of Development for The
Mount Baker Theatre. Kristin says, “As a board member for Blue
Skies, I hope to help make many Little Wishes come true and attract
more supporters to the wonderful and important work the
organization has done for the last 18 years.” Kristin previously served
on the Big Brothers Big Sisters board of directors and is excited to
bring her fundraising skills to the Blue Skies for Children board.
Thank You to Our
2015 BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
President:
Giang Ha
Assistant Controller
Haskell Corporation
Vice President:
Shari Skinner
Accounts Receivable,
Haskell Corporation
Treasurer:
Gladys Hyatt, CPA
Retired, Moss Adams
LLP
Secretary:
Lisa Recht
Retired
Directors:
Ray Pierce
Corporate Safety Mgr.
Haskell Corporation
Kristin Costanza
The Mt. Baker Theatre
Assoc Director of
Development
Katie Dunne
MOJO Music Discount
Office Manager
Pam Reed
The Formal House &
Alicia’s Bridal
Owner
Dimi Hartman
Umpqua Bank
Home Lending Manager
************
Interested in joining
Blue Skies for Children’s
Board of Director’s?
Meetings are held the third Wed
of each month. Call 756.6710.
Did You Know?
Blue Skies for
Children
distributed
over 80 brand new
backpacks during
September.
A huge thank you for
your support:
Little Bugs
Gym Star Sports Ctr
Roosevelt Elementary
Explorers Club NW
The Willows
Mt. Baker Theatre
Employees
Bham Food Bank
Will You Sponsor-A-Child in 2016?
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 a waiting list of children in need 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 2016!
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
_____ One Time Little Wishes
_____ Shoe Give Program
_____ Instrument Loaner 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. Debit or Credit will be charged on 15th of month.
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 75 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.
THANK YOU CTK COMMUNITY CHURCH BELLINGHAM FOR PRINTING OUR NEWSLETTER