NAMI Juneau’s Comedy for a Cause fundraiser. (Courtesy Photo)

NAMI Juneau’s Comedy for a Cause fundraiser. (Courtesy Photo)

Thanks for cleaning up Juneau’s wetlands

Thank You letters for April 28, 2019.

• On a cool Saturday, April 20, community volunteers removed about 2,000 pounds of trash, debris and recyclables from the Mendenhall Wetlands State Game Refuge.

We thank the staff and members of Southeast Alaska Land Trust for organizing the annual Juneau Community Wetlands Cleanup. We also thank the Alaskan Brewing Co. Coastal CODE Program (especially Rochelle Rogers), Discovery Southeast (especially Phillip Moser), Waste Management (especially John, Gerry, Shannon and Eric) and Litter Free (the all-volunteer organization providing the umbrella management for this cooperative annual community clean-up event).

Other partners included the Alaska Airlines Green Team, The Alaska Center, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Community Clean Up In Progress, Douglas Island Pink & Chum, Juneau Audubon Society, NorthStar Trekking, Territorial Sportsmen, Tongass Chapter of Trout Unlimited, and Trail Mix, Inc.

We thank the businesses that helped us advertise the event, including the Juneau Empire, KTOO Public Media, KINY radio, and the JAHC. Special thanks go to Amanda Pilley and Daryl Mestas, Alex and Peggy Wertheimer and Chris King for providing truck transportation for getting material to the Recycling Center and landfill, and to Jim and Mary Lou King for allowing us to access the wetlands through their driveway and yard. Lastly, thank you to the over 200 community members who dedicated a Saturday morning to improving the health of our wetlands. This was a partnership, a community effort, and a success.

Nancy Waterman,

Vice President, Southeast Alaska Land Trust Board of Directors

NAMI Juneau’s Comedy for a Cause fundraiser. (Courtesy Photo)

NAMI Juneau’s Comedy for a Cause fundraiser. (Courtesy Photo)

• On behalf of the entire National Alliance on Mental Illness Juneau team, thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of our Comedy for a Cause fundraiser. Nearly 200 community members joined this magical night of humor and storytelling, helping us raise $13,000 for NAMI Juneau’s mental health education and support programs.

We’d like to thank our guest comedian, Matt Vogl, and incredible local performers Roblin Gray Davis, Andy Miller, Jim Pfitzer and Phoebe Rohrbacher. Thank you to Tom Cosgrove for inspiring so much laughter throughout the evening as a storyteller and master of ceremonies.

We’d like to thank our title sponsors for the event, Bartlett Regional Hospital and Rainforest Pediatric Care.

We’d also like to thank Alex D. Malter, Marna Schwartz, Dessa and Tahlia Gerger, Valley Medical Care, Southeast Radiation Oncology Center, Southeast Psychiatry, Dr. Bruce and Charmaine Weeks, Lindy and Colleen Jones, Prentice Consulting, Southeast Medical Clinic, Sara and John Raster, Alaska Electric Light & Power, Betts Boat Repair, Coogan Construction Co., International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 1547, McDowell Group, Inc., Shattuck Grummett and Jared L Erickson, DMD for your generous sponsorships.

Thank you to our in-kind sponsors, Alaskan Brewing Co., and Martha’s Flowers for donating the beautiful table arrangements.

We are grateful to the many local businesses, artists and individuals who contributed to our silent auction. Thank you to Alaska Robotics, Alaska Seaplanes, Amalga Distillery, Annie Kaill’s, Barnacle Foods, Bonnie Chaney, Bonnie Elder, Bustin’ Out Boutique, Changing Tides, Chef Stef, Coastal Helicopters, Alaska Beachcombers, The Fagnants, Debbie and Jon Tillinghast, Devil’s Club Brewing Company, Devita Writer, Foggy Mountain, Harbor Tea & Spice, Heritage Coffee, Jack Beedle, Jerry’s Meats & Seafoods, Juneau’s Imagination Station, Kindred Post, Mark Kelley Photography, Mary Claire Harris, Mary’s Massage, NorthStar Trekking, The Rohrbachers, Rainbow Foods, Sketch Studio, Spiral Studio, Susan Baxter and David Sturdevant, The Bear’s Lair, Trickster Company and Wild by Nature.

This annual fundraiser helps NAMI Juneau continue its work and mission to improve the lives of those affected by mental health conditions through education, advocacy, and support. On behalf of the entire NAMI Juneau and the performers who made the night so wonderful, thank you to the Juneau community for joining us this year.

Crystal Bourland, Executive Director of NAMI Juneau,

Sandi Pahlke, Acting President of NAMI Juneau

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