Family Promise Mat-Su says thanks

To the editor:

Family Promise’s Mat-Su Board would like to thank all who participated in our major fundraiser for homeless families in the Valley, Cardboard City 2012, held at the Fairgrounds July 20-21. You all are amazing! You braved wind and rain to reside in your makeshift cardboard “homes” for this worthy cause.

During this event, we shared soup and bread together while the Wild Cat Trio and the Julia/Grace/Alex troupe entertained us. Inspirational speeches from MyHouse’s Michelle Overstreet, Homeless Coalition’s Dave Rose and Michael Carson, Pastor Henry Woodall, and our Executive Director, Laurie Kari, added to the high spirits and comradery that evening.

Almost 200 “residents” participated! What helped make this a huge success were the many hours volunteered by our tireless, energetic and creative staff, our returning CC residents who helped spread the word, Country Legends 100.9 for their continuous Public Service Announcements (Thank you, Kathy Mitchell!), and the Frontiersman. Our local newspaper placed CC on their reader board several times before the event, as well as giving us front-page coverage July 20. Thank you, Heather Resz, managing editor, and Andrew Wellner, reporter.

We are grateful to our major sponsors,1st National Bank (Craig Thorn) and

Church on the Rock (David Pepper, Lead Pastor). Through your partnership, we were able to launch this event.

Additionally, we appreciate those who gave above and beyond. Because of your generosity and time, we were able to educate many about the needs of our homeless Valley children and families. Particularly, we would like to thank: Soup, Bread, Coffee — The Coffee Roastery (Ron McClure), Great Alaska Bakery, House of Bread, The Red Beet, Turkey Red, Vagabond Blues and North Star Bakery.

Music — Julia Cannon, Grace Kari and Alex Lindgren and the Wild Cat Trio.

Donations — Alice LaRue, Barb Brown, Church on the Rock, Country Legends 100.9, Dewey Taylor, Fireside Books, 1st National Bank (Craig Thorn), Heather McCausland, Laura Brekke, L&B Printing, Papa John’s, Rusty’s Restaurant, Shane Lamb Studio, Side Kicks & Gifts, Subway, Sunlight Glass Studio, Turn A Leaf Thrift Store and Valley Community for Recycling Solutions.

FPMS is a non-profit organization that mobilizes community resources and local congregations to provide compassionate care through shelter, meals, and case management to families without housing. Guest families are sheltered overnight in area churches and receive hospitality from church members/volunteers. The ultimate goal of FPMS is to assist homeless families achieve self-sustainability. Hundreds from the Valley have been successful in this nationally affiliated program.

For more information, contact promise@mtaonline.net, or 357-6160, or visit familypromisematsu.org/.

We hope to see you all, and many more, next year. Thank you!

Family Promise Executive Board

John Weaver, president

Barrie Blackman-Green, VP

Barb Brown, secretary

Bobbie Ackley, treasurer

Sara Wilber

Mollie Boyer

Gini King-Taylor