Thank you for supporting Cardboard City

To the editor:

Family Promise’s Mat-Su Board would like to thank all who participated in our major fundraiser, Cardboard City 2014. This annual event, held at the Alaska State Fairgrounds July 18 to 19, brought together amazing, compassionate, selfless individuals who gave their time and money to help our homeless families in the Valley. They braved wind and rain to reside in makeshift cardboard “homes” for this worthy cause.

Executive Director Laurie Kari and Board President John Weaver conveyed the latest information and what the future holds for Family Promise. The highlight of the evening was when former Family Promise guest, Katy, shared with us her story. It’s amazing how one can go from the comfort of house and home to homelessness in the blink of an eye. When a company decides to downsize and let employees go, getting a job in a down-market is not easy. And soon something has to give — the car to get to work, food for the table, medicine and medical bills, the mortgage. For Katy, it was most of these. She then shared how Family Promise gave her family hope and the time necessary to get back on their feet. Katy’s journey is an inspiration to all who were fortunate to hear her.

During the event, we ate soup and bread, enjoyed the creativity of the many and varied box “homes,” and were entertained by local musician, Julia Cannon. What helped make this a success were the many hours volunteered by our tireless, energetic and creative staff, our returning Cardboard City residents who helped spread the word, Country Legends 100.9 for its continuous Public Service Announcements (thank you, Kathy Mitchell, who always spends the night with us!), and the Frontiersman. Our local newspaper placed Cardboard City on its reader board, and gave us front-page coverage. Thank you Heather Resz, Managing Editor; Caitlin Skvorc, the new, local reporter who spent the night with us; and Mark Kelsey, Publisher.

We are grateful to our major sponsors: Church on the Rock, Barbara Crozier, First National Bank of Alaska (Craig Thorne), Country Legends 100.9, Shirley Pratt, Lisa Coleman and Rebecca Coleman. Through their 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. Additionally, we would like to thank The Coffee Roastery (Ron McClure); House of Bread; The Red Beet; Turkey Red; Vagabond Blues; Alaska State Fairgrounds (Sheri Musgrave); AT&T Sports Center, Palmer (Shauna Munro); Barb Brown;

Carrs, Palmer; Dewey Taylor; Eagle Hotel Restaurant and Lounge; Fireside Books, Palmer; Heather McCausland; Just Imagine Toys, Wasilla; Learning Essentials, Wasilla; L&B Printing, Wasilla; Central Mat-Su Fire Department Chief James Steele; Menard Sports Complex (Joan Klapperich); Midas, Palmer; Mr. Lube, Wasilla; Shane Lamb Studio, Palmer; Subway, Palmer; The Garden Gate Gift Shop, Palmer; Town Square Art Gallery; Valley Community for Recycling Solutions; Valley Residential Services set up crew; and Walmart (Tamara, employee). 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 further information, contact promise@mtaonline.net; 357-6160, or visit online at familypromisematsu.org.

We hope to see you all, and many more, next year: July 17-18, 2015. Save the date!

Family Promise

Mat-Su Executive Board Laurie Kari,

Executive Director John Weaver,

President Barrie Blackman-Green,

V. P. Barb Brown,

Secretary Bobbie Ackley-

Treasurer Mollie Boyer