Thanks to all who helped at Cardboard City

To the Editor:

Family Promise Mat-Su thanks all who participated in Cardboard City 2016, July 15-16, at the Fairgrounds. You are amazing! Not only did you donate to this worthy cause, but you braved the mosquitoes to spend the night in your makeshift cardboard “homes.”

While there, Dave Rose of the Homeless Coalition, Mike Carson, MyHouse VP, new shelter Sarah’s House representative Ashley Jenkins, Palmer Mayor,

DeLena Johnson, and our executive director and our Board president brought us up to date as to the status of the homeless in the Valley and the nonprofit facilities available to those in need.

The first highlight of the evening was hearing from former Family Promise guest, Elizabeth. With her two young daughters in tow, she shared her story. Leaving a dangerous situation “Outside” and becoming homeless and basically penniless, save the fare to Alaska, she and her girls eventually found their way to Family Promise Mat-Su. What touched us was her statement that, for the first time in a very long time, she was treated with respect and love. She now has a full-time job, a car, and permanent housing. Family Promise gave her family hope and the time necessary to get back on their feet. Elizabeth’s journey was an inspiration to all. Our second highlight was sharing our community of “homes” with Governor Walker and the First Lady. This was not their first time sleeping overnight in a cardboard box. Last fall, as part of Covenant House’s fundraiser, they stayed in a box in Fairbanks, where it reached frigid temperatures. This, said the First Lady, was something profoundly impacting.

As the evening moved along, local band No Wake got the toe tappers tapping and the creative energy of architects flowing as they decorated their domiciles and their t-shirts, then ate bread and soup donated by local venders. Once completed, “homes” were assessed by veteran realtor Israel Nelson (who could be bribed with additional donations to Family Promise!) and comedian/ventriloquist, Hillary Saffran. And t-shirts were assessed by the crowd. Prizes were awarded, then all went off to sleep … to the hum of buzzing little biters!

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the following major donors, without whom our event would not have occurred. Although this is a long list, we feel it is important to give these businesses and individuals their due accolades.

Major Sponsors:

MSVFCU, MEA, William and Donna Walker, All About Herbs, Inc, NAPA, North Star Animal Hospital, Valley Hotel, Inc, Church on the Rock, 1st Presbyterian Church of Wasilla, MY House, A-1 Insulation, LLC, St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Ron Morgan, EA, CPA, Church on the Rock

Major Donors:

Media/Advertising:

Country Legends 100.9 FM - Kathy Mitchell

Frontiersman – Dennis Anderson, publisher, and writer Caitlin Skvorc

MTA Sports Center, Palmer - Shauna Munro

Alaska State Fairgrounds - Sheri Musgrave

The People’s Paper/Make-A- Scene Magazine - Josh Fryfogle

Rosemary Myrick, First Impressions

L&B Printing

KVRF 89.5 Big Cabbage Radio – Mike Chmielewski

KMBQ 99.7 FM - Eddie Maxwell

KVNT 92.5FM Valley News Talk Radio - Tom Anderson

KTVA Channel 11

KTUU Channel 2

NonEssentials - Denise Statz and Jonathan Szumiesz

Soups, Bread, Coffee, Donuts:

The Coffee Roastery - owner Ron McClure

Turkey Red Restaurant, Palmer

Vagabond Blues Restaurant, Palmer

The Red Beet Restaurant, Wasilla

Grape Tap Restaurant, Wasilla

House of Bread, Wasilla

North Star Bakery, Wasilla

Carrs Palmer Bakery, morning donuts

MYHouse - Soupline Volunteers

Entertainment:

No Wake Band, Palmer - Patrick Wake and son

Storyteller Hillary Saffron and puppet

Cardboard Boxes:

VCRS - Mollie Boyer, E.D., and James Santiago, foreman

Dewey Taylor, Jonathan Szumiesz - cardboard aficionados

Wasilla Food Pantry Truck - Eddie Ezelle

Clean up:

Jen, Pat, Alex, and Abby Hall - morning rescue/ cleanup crew.

Finally, our tireless staff, Pam Ratliff, Loi Davila, Teresa French, and Case

Manager, Wendy Digerlando

To these and the many businesses and individuals around the Valley who helped us get the word out, we appreciate you!

Warm regards,

Family Promise Executive Board