At last, we gathered for our first in-person fundraising event to celebrate at the third annual UnGala - Jumpin’ into June, to renew friendships and create new ones. The views from St. John United Lutheran Church added to the festivities.

Sound Alliance Board Member Diane Dobrowolski introduced us to the afternoon’s celebration and thanked our sponsor, American Federation of Teachers, Washington.

We were joined by Steve Mayer, auctioneer extraordinaire, the musical talents of the Elha Jordan Experience, and our keynote speaker Ronn!e, the blue-eyed Native from the Daybreak Star Radio Network, who called for attendees to support the work Sound Alliance moves toward. Meanwhile we raised a glass and consumed the best tacos and fixings ever from the Perla Taco Truck.

The silent auction began on-line a few days before the event and carried on in-person with an array of items. The eight live-auction items invited lively competition to bid on everything from copper cookware, to a dinner cruise on the sailing vessel Morning Star, to a gumbo dinner for ten and a seafood extravaganza. Additional items included the art work Medicine Horse by Coyte, a week in a beautiful condo in Scottsdale, Arizona, a premium case of outstanding merlot and sessions with an experienced researcher to create your family tree.

As 2023-2024 Strategy Team co-chairs, Roberta Ray and I shared our ongoing work:

· Continuing partnership with United Indians of All Tribes through our Wrestling with the Truth of Colonization trainings,

· Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

· Mental Health for Youth focusing on the King County Crisis Care Centers to be established in South King County,

· Clean Air for Kids Campaign focusing on joint efforts with our education unions and the building trades in getting school districts to apply for the infrastructure grants from the Department of Energy; and

· Our efforts to build more power through developing strategic relationships

 

We ended the evening raising our paddle to supporting the work and our commitment for the common good.

Rosalinda 

 

Photos from the day: