COMING EVENTS
AtWork! Events
Although the weather forecast didn’t sound too promising, the sun came out all the same for AtWork!’s annual summer barbecue. As always, Bingo was a big hit, taking a close second to food. Master grillers CEO Chris Brandt and her sidekick, Board President Bob Strayhan, served up hot dogs and hamburgers, generously donated by Fischer Meats of Issaquah.
AtWork! is grateful to all those who contributed food and donations to make our event such a big hit. Thanks go to Costco Wholesale, Inc., Fischer Meats, Panera Bread, and Party City. Thanks also to AtWork! friends and family members Rita Cromwell, Ralph and Marjorie Domenowske, Irene and Larry Harvitz, Shawna Stanberry, Harold and Janell Sutton, Linda Panattoni, Wendy Randall, Winter Taylor, and Charlotte Trenner.
Benefit Breakfast Raises $92,000
Mark Sjolunde accepts the Supporter of the Year Award on behalf of Dunn Lumber.
What a wonderful and magical morning. AtWork! welcomed over 350 guests to the ballroom at the Westin Hotel in Bellevue, Thursday morning, March 25th. Our emcee was Dennis Bounds, King 5 News Anchor and, himself, the parent of a person with disabilities. Dennis helped to introduce our speakers, Board Chair Bob Strayhan and CEO Chris Brandt.
AtWork! was proud to present its Supporter of the Year Award to the Dunn Lumber Company for its commitment to hiring people with disabilities in each of its 12 stores. The video, which you can view on our website, profiled Darwin, a Dunn Lumber employee and AtWork! client, whose employment not only provides value to the company, but also is vital the sustainability of his family.
Margaret Padilla talks with Dennis Bounds of King 5 News about her new job at Drugstore.com.
A highlight of the morning was Dennis's interview with Margaret Padilla. Margaret is a new employee of Drugstore.com and very proud of her journey from working in a sheltered workshop to a job in the community. Although she rehearsed her presentation many times, getting up in front of a large crowd almost overwhelmed her. Dennis brought out the best in her, and the audience was charmed by her excitement and enthusiasm for this new opportunity in her life.
The Reverend Kenneth Ransfer closed the morning with a very impassioned request for support. Together we raised $92,000 for people with disabilities. We sincerely thank our Supporting Sponsors, Costco Wholesale and Russ & Gretchen Keithly, and our Contributing Sponsors, Mike & Kim Cave, Coinstar, Inc., Paul Egly, and Xtreme Consulting Group, Inc.
AtWork! has made a commitment to leave no one behind. That means we will sustain our commitments to people with complex support needs, people whom others might label as too disabled to work or unemployable. Because of the outpouring of generosity received that morning, we will be able to fulfill that commitment.
AtWork! Showcases Works by Artists With Disabilities
Jessica Thompson—acrylic on canvas—2009
AtWork!, provider of employment services for people with disabilities, has decorated the walls of its headquarters building with art work executed by artists with disabilities. We are hanging our second show which will be on view through December.
Artists in the show participate in Creative Activities/VSA Arts of Washington program, dedicated to serving artists at any stage of their creative development. Creative Activities/VSAAW is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing arts opportunities created by, for and with people with disabilities throughout the State of Washington.
AtWork! is a private non-profit organization that provides assessments, skill exploration and training, job development, and ongoing job coaching and support for individuals with disabilities.
AtWork! Hawaiian Summer Barbecue
Bingo was the most popular game at AtWork!’s summer event on August 21st. After verifying numbers to be sure bingos were real, there was great excitement when prizes were awarded. The weather could not have been more perfect — sunshine and a soft summer breeze put everyone in a party mood. Chris Brandt and Bob Strayhan fired up the grill; we ate hot dogs and hamburgers and enjoyed the delicious food donated by volunteers and the community.
Special thanks go to Fischer Meats, Costco Wholesale, Franz Bakeries, and Tim’s Cascade Chips for their donations. Salads and desserts were brought by Charlotte Trenner, Rita Cromwell, Bob Lambert, Mrs. Sutton, Ray Lepp, the Padilla Family, the Wills Family and Wendy Randall. Teresa Lewis, Patti Inge and Janice Weiberg dropped by to lend a hand. Thank you to all who helped to make this summer event so memorable. So many came to help we kind of lost track. We do want you to know that you were appreciated, if we didn’t catch your name.
Click on the photos below for larger images.
Happy Holidays!
At this festive time of year, AtWork! wishes to thank all those who have graciously and generously donated to our mission to help people with disabilities be productive, integrated, and contributing members of their communities.
We gratefully acknowledge the following companies and foundations for their support:
SAB Architects
Scan Design Foundation
SeaCon, LLC
Shaw Contract Group
Smith Barney
The Employees Community Fund of the Boeing Company Puget Sound
The Seattle Foundation
Ticon, Inc.
Tim’s Cascade Chips
Vinnie & Sons Plumbing
Washington Square
Windermere Real Estate
Zonar Systems
American Seafoods Company
Baylis Architects Clark Nuber
Colliers International
Columbia Bank
Costco Wholesale
First Mutual Bank
Fisher Meats
Johnson Barrow, Inc.
LeMaster Daniels
Microsoft
Murdock Charitable Trust
Nonprofit Assistance Center
Oberto Sausage Company
Peterson Russell Kelly PL
Regence
To make your year end contribution to AtWork! click the DONATE button on the left of any page on the AtWork! website.
The AtWork! shop floor was converted to a pirate ship on Halloween and captured clients, staff and invited guests for a great day of fun. There was pirate gruel for lunch, karaoke and dancing, cookie decorating for dessert, popcorn, crafts, and great fun!
Click on the photos below for larger images.
