Thank you for all of the help at 2016’s Throwdown

Did you have fun at the Throwdown? I sure did. It is always one of my favorite days of the year. And this year’s turnout was excellent.

If you’ll remember, our goal was $5,500 to fund our tuition assistance program for the rest of this year. Our net total was just under $5,800. That was one successful party! There will be some additional coming in the way of matching donations from some companies as well!

One thing that was noted by several of us is how easy everything came together this year. The list of helpers involved in this year’s event is long and the way everyone worked together and made one great event is kinda breathtaking. I’d like to thank as many people who were involved as possible. We have so many great people to thank for putting it all together that I’m going to divide this into sections.

Venue:

Zach, Sidney, and Parker Thieme for letting us use their property and for cooking the pig and a thousand other things. Sidney’s dad, Joe, for beautifying the grounds the days before the event.

Music:

Andreas for putting the stage together and making it safe for the performers. He also built the misting station which really helped to keep things as comfortable as possible. Steven Webb for bringing and running the sound gear with help from my son, Eric. Ken Young and Doug Geiger brought the lights that made the last couple of performances extra cool.

Thank you to all the musicians who performed. What a bunch of great, diverse, performances this year! Tambo, Stone Trees, DNA, Sean and Chantelle, Shiver, Dark Shadow, J.D. Collins, Jeff and the Felons, and the Meerkats!

Silent Auction:

This was one of the best silent auctions to date. Some of the biggest items were donated by parents of students and personal friends of ours. We have so many generous people and businesses here in the Maple Valley area. Thank you to anyone who donated items! This year the Rock ‘n’ More intern army pulled all the bid sheets, added up everyones totals, closed out the auction, and cashed the winners out. It was amazing! Normally Arielle has to do a lot of this but this year the kids totally took charge and did an incredible job. Thank you!

Food and drink:

Thanks to the chefs, Jessica and Dan, for preparing and serving the food. They did an incredible job on the food this year, it was delicious! The Moriarty family for providing the homemade brew, soda, and taking beautiful photos during the event (I’ll be posting those on our facebook soon!). My mom and stepdad, Diane and John Haines, for the wine. The Carmichaels for additional drinks, ice, and a million other things. Michelle Young for bringing the desserts and purchasing the custom Rock ‘n’ More water.

Elbow Grease and hospitality:

Thanks to our intern army who volunteered in the staggering heat for pizza, donuts and soda. Sami, Will, Jancy, Joe, Olivia, Eric, Anamaria, Jake, Sophie, Kaidra, Olivia, Shauna, Neviah, Jackson, Krystle, Amanda, and Ryleigh. We could not do it without you and cannot express just how much it means to us that you give up your weekend to volunteer for our event.

Tables and Chairs:

Maple Valley has an exceptional community of music and art non-profits. The Maple Valley Creative Arts Council recently donated several of the tables that were used at the Throwdown and loaned us all the other tables. The Maple Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra loaned us all the chairs. Isn’t that incredible?

And, of course, big thanks to all the Rock ‘n’ More instructors; most of whom were at the event. Carlos, Allison, Phil (DID NOT ATTEND), Brooks, Alex, Doug, Brendan (DID NOT ATTEND), Sean, and Jon.

Thank you to all who attended, cheered on the performers, bid on auction items, and had a good time. I hope you got to meet someone new and/or catch up with some people you’ve known for a while.

P.S. If you want Jessica to cook for your party, she can be reached at: workingchef2@live.com

Thank you

Dace and Arielle

Dace’s Rock ‘n’ More Music Academy

www.rocknmore.org

Local Support Helps the Black Diamond Community Center

Mary Kay consultant Karin Ambur has donated $5,0000 as the biggest sponsor of the Black Diamond Community Center’s Fall Harvest Moon Dinner Auction that will be held on Saturday, Oct. 1. Other sponsors to date are Oakpointe, Mutual of Enumclaw, and Commercial Waste Reduction & Recycling. The dinner auction is the BDCC’s biggest fundraising event. These donations go to a variety of programs that are supported by these funds. Some of the new programs we fund are prescriptions for seniors, rental assistance, and additional support for our food bank, like dairy vouchers for families with children.

The Black Diamond Community Center could not support all the people we help without the donations from others like the Rotary, Lions, Kiwanis, St. Barbara Parish, Lake Sawyer Community Club, Lake Sawyer Christian Church, and private individuals who donate regularly.

For more information about the dinner auction, call 360-886-1011 for details.

Thank You Community,

Cheryl Hanson

Executive Director

Black Diamond Community Center