MARTINI PARTY, YOU DON'T SAY? ...

This was a fundraiser of divine providence. Our graphic designer prepared our giraffe advertising poster absolutely beautifully. None of us could believe it. Celeste and Dan Coulston graciously donated their Chaps venue, a fabulous shabby chic food and dessert "destination." Jane Joseph and Lauren Gilbert did a fabulous job organizing all of the following people - Abby and Ralph Oscarson and their crew (including their nephews in the Music Corner) worked tirelessly decorating Chaps with our African decor; April Williams planned for the Silent Auction ahead of time, knowing full well she would be on a beach in Mexico during the party; so Pam Miller and Larry Keyser displayed our irresistible Silent Auction items; Sandi Kessler and her crew (including some encouragement from her "Costco" friends) chopped and prepped and prepared scrumptious appetizers; Ralph, Lisa Chapman and Jennifer Day were more than happy to take your money at the registration table; Elisa and Naomi eloquently served up our appetizers; and as usual, Sandy Goldberg was the undercurrent keeping it all moving in the right direction.

None of this would be possible without several people behind the scenes: we thank our personal bartenders for donating their time, their martini making instructions and their refreshing pours for us; we thank Roast House Coffee for their special roast and serving of a nice strong cup-a-joe; we thank Dan Coulston for tirelessly cleaning up after us, even on his Birthday; and last but not least - Andy and Lorri (Albin) Turner for donating an outing for  "Jeffery the Giraffe." Here is the scoop (straight from the Giraffe's mouth): I have known Lorri for 35 years and I happened to run into her in Seattle the weekend before our Martini Party (hadn't seen her for 10 yrs). We got to chit chatting about HHNW and Africa and how her husband goes Big Game Hunting (ears perking up) ... how he collects all these big animals (you don't say). I asked her if he had a giraffe (dreaming). She said yes (jaw dropping) and agreed that we could use him at our Martini Party (Hallelujah!). The best part was, he was already in Spokane. Voila! We just rented a U-Haul and he was able to have a sleepover with us. This was a great asset to an even greater party.

Thank you to all of the attendees for buying our Silent Auction items and for buying all those drinks! We appreciate all of your support and we had just as much fun as you mixing and mingling. The best part ... we may do it all again in July! Save our blog to your Favorites and we will keep you posted.

SKI TO AFRICA

Believe it or not HHNW pulled off another successful fundraiser in less than 5 days. We had a few guests who tried to Ski to Africa, but most of us tried to eat our way there. And why not when the food was that delicious. Mt. Spokane is a beautiful venue; crisp and clean, viewing the air you breath. Again, we had great organizers in Randy and Marianne Foiles and April Williams. They were able to convince several restaurants (Italian Kitchen, Luigi's, Lasagna on Ya, SYSCO) to donate delicioso Italiano food; caesar salad, rolls, pasta, vino and red velvet cake to celebrate Valentine's Day. What more could a person want? Thanks again skiers and eaters, can't wait to see you again next year.

SMASHING TARTS FOR OPEN HEARTS !

Who said Ace Inhibitors and Beta Blockers were used to slow the heart rate? Not here. This is fast paced, rough and tumble fundraising going on here Babe. In fact, it was faster than my shutter speed. Instead I took video - which gives you ambience, audio, bodies flying by, wind-in-your-hair speed. And an educational fundraiser: we learned all about Bouts, Blockers, Jammers and Pivots. And those are only the words I can mention in this blog. Watch them at work. And I mean work - all those skates and elbows and bodies whipping by.

A special shout out to Ida B Cho Azz for inviting us to watch her in action. Without the invitation some of us would never have been privy to the Roller Derby Underworld in Spokane.

How can I become a VIP you ask? Put your money where your mouth is! I think we had a few imposters in this section however.

Hal Goldberg, Steve & Lauran Gilbert, Sandi Kessler, Jason Konyu

The REAL VIPs are the Lilac City Roller Girls, their coaches, their Zebra Jam Commanders and their play-by-play caller. We thank all of them for donating their proceeds from this Smashing Tarts for Open Hearts Bout to our Healing Hearts Northwest Rwanda Medical Mission!

ONLY 5 KILOMETERS TO WALK TO AFRICA ?

Really?  Yes, for us anyway.  All you have to do is walk a beautiful route through Riverfront Park, Gonzaga University and Spokane's West Side; tally the sponsorships; and "wa-la," you have helped earn $4,000.00 dollars for staff airfare!

Our First Annual 5K "Walk to Africa" is the first fundraiser that will be designated for staff costs, instead of supply costs.  The Walk Organizers were friendly, organized and fun - hiring a few bongo drummers for our entertainment and inspiration.  

And thanks to all of our friends and family (even small children) who sponsored us, this fundraiser was also a huge success (even after a late-night Wine Fundraiser!).

Thanks for all of the SHMC CICU Support Pam, Lindsae (and kids) and Heather!

WINE AND CHOCOLATE GALA COMPLETE SUCCESS

We really are about Healing Hearts, even before we get to Rwanda!  Some red wine, some dark chocolate ... what more could a heart want?  Our fundraising team of ten were able to find numerous food donors and numerous wine donors to make for a successful event.  Let me reiterate, this event would not have been possible without our donors.  Not to mention the creativeness of our team:  they did not just decorate, they created an atmosphere of a Rwandan Paradise at the Lincoln Center: resplendent with authentic woven baskets and carved wooden bowls filled with coffee beans, displayed over palms leaves atop safari animal fabric-laden tables.

We had silent auction and live auction items that I am sure made their buyers happy, but not as happy as those buyers made us!

Thank you to all of the participants who arrived, imbibed and bought: without all of you we would not be able to purchase our medicines or supplies.  We hope to see you all next year.

John from Vino, A Wine Shop
- educating our pourers.

Dr. Brutacao, Pediatric Intensivist
- serving our guests.

GIDDY UP

Our Annual Barn Dance was a great way to start off our fundraising season for our upcoming Medical Mission to Kigali, Rwanda this April 2011. The participants were quite cooperative, even if the weather was not. A more beautiful setting we could not have asked for; green pastures, real live farm animals, horses to mount, even moose heads to wear, all the while listening to great musical entertainment. Thank you to everyone for your generous donations, you have all started off our fundraising season in a grand way!

BBQ, Music, and Fun

Click here to see more Barn Dance Pictures [Courtesy of Charlotte]

TEAM SET FOR 2011

After our more formal application process this year and lots of face-to-face recruitment, our Healing Hearts Northwest Team for 2011 has been (mostly) set. We also have a new date for our trip, April. We look forward to both changing Rwanda lives and having our lives changed by Rwanda, especially during the commencement of their Genocide Memorial period, April through June.

Now that our team is set, we will have more hands to assist in our fundraisers. First will be our Barn Dance, October 3. Then we have two back-to-back: our Wine and Chocolate Gala, October 22 and our 5K Walk to Africa, October 23. Our first fundraiser for 2011 will be a fantastic Martini Party on Valentine's Day, February 14th.