Thank you

On behalf of the Issaquah Harvest Team, a huge thank you to the hundreds of people who turned out to support the Benefit Dance at Pickering Barn on November 21.

By almost any measure it was a tremendous success — great music, food, dancing, libations and fellowship.

Oh yeah — and almost $15,000 was raised for the Issaquah Food Bank!

Given that we barely had two months to get this going, is a testament to the planning team and the various groups that performed their part in this.

Thanks to David Harris (see what discussions over beer will do?), Jeri Grazier, Sue Cotterel and Flo for showing up every meeting, taking on tasks and making it happen.

And, also, Gloria, Ana, Cyndi, Marilyn and Kevin.

Words fail for what I feel about you.

Thanks also to Mayor Ava, Leon Kos, the City of Issaquah and the City Parks Department, the Kiwanis Club for insurance coverage, Lynnda and Chris for driving the auction process and offering member support.

Thanks to the Rotary Club, especially Leslie Austin, for the financial oversight and their member support, and Rowley Properties.

Thanks to The AstroCats and Magnolia Road for providing such great music, and the food and libations vendors.

I hope that this event blessed you as much as it blessed the people who sampled your tast-alicious wares!

Thank you to those who donated and bought auction items — the Ventures-signed Guitar — the Spa Packages, paintings and pictures, Wine, and so much more — Thank You.

And to Fred Butler (can you hear me now?), thank you.

Thanks also to the several churches who helped with community awareness, participation, prayers, and verbal support.

Your year-round support of the Issaquah Food Bank and other community services is something that truly inspires me.

To our incredible young people — the Key Clubbers — who came out in droves that evening to help with set-up and tear-down afterwards; your enthusiasm was boundless.

A special thanks to Becky and Barb.

Thank you to the Issaquah Valley Community Services Team which continues to make a difference 52 weeks a year in the lives of thousands of people.

It was a privilege to help in this small way.

Lastly, to the citizens of our fair city; you amaze me with how you constantly define and live ‘community.’

Remember also that the need is still there.

PS — We are going to do this again next year!

— Bill Werner

Issaquah