‘Chair-ity Event’ to benefit local homeless teens

Alice Sims could see the problem from her living room and wanted to help; more and more teens were camping overnight in a nearby park.

“They didn’t seem to really have a home,” she said. “I wondered where they ate and how they got by.”

So the longtime member of St. David’s Episcopal Church began discussing the problem with others in an effort to help.

Those conversations gave birth to new food ministry called Come Sit a Bit.

“We will work with the teens to see what suits their needs and fits for them,” Sims said.

She is working with church member and local educator Deb Waisanen to begin a fundraising effort to offer support to the teens.

Their first fundraising event, called a Chair-ity Event, will focus on local students, artists and other community members donating decorated chairs.

Entries are $10 each (nonrefundable). Students with a student ID may enter for free. The artistic chairs will be displayed at the AT&T Sports Center on June 10, on a float in the Colony Days Parade June 11, and then sold at a Chair-ity Auction at Madd Matters in Palmer after the parade.

Entry forms are available at Madd Matters, 101 E. Artic Ave., Palmer; at Family Promise Mat-Su, 690 S. Knik-Goose Bay Road, Wasilla; or at St. David’s Church, Mile 2.2, Wasilla Fishhook Road, Wasilla, Sundays before or after morning services.

Completed chairs will be displayed at the AT&T Sports Center from 9 a.m. to noon, June 10. Along with regular judging, a People’s Choice Award will be given based on community feedback.

For more information, or to help with the event, contact Deb Waisanen at waisanen@mtaonline.net and note “Chair-ity” in the subject line. She may also be reached at 376-1053.

Entry forms and more details are available online on Facebook (search for the group Chair-ity Event).