Postscript to High Point dinner: ‘Your donation saved a life’

This morning, acknowledgements to share from the planners of a first-of-its-kind fundraiser in High Point earlier this month, a dinner to raise money for famine relief in Somalia – an event that even brought out Mayor McGinn:

High Point’s community builder Shukri Olow shares the photos and these words of appreciation for those who made the event a success – including those in attendance:

First and foremost, we, the planners of the Fundraiser dinner for Mercy Corps and Islamic Relief want to THANK our volunteers, our 11 High Point women who made the delicious and authentic Somali rice, hilib, chicken, qalwa, mandazi, sambusa and tea. AND those who helped serve the food and cleanup! Your commitment to your community is admirable. Our volunteers, and co-workers from Neighborhood House including Fredolyn, Bianca, Denise, Aparna, Jennifer — thank you for your endless efforts in making High Point a better community for all.

Secondly, SPECIAL THANKS to our presenters and those in attendance: Mayor Mike McGinn and his wife Peggy Lynch for their support, Seattle City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, Executive Director of Neighborhood House Mark Okazaki for his tireless work and engagement in this community.

Thank you Joy Portella-Director of Communications with Mercy Corps, Zuhair Motiwala with Islamic Relief, Seattle Poet Santiago, Asha Mohamed with Seattle Housing, Mohamed Sheikh with Afrique Service Center, Tom Phillips and Julie Wade, Mohamed Moallim with Muslim Housing, and The Seattle Channel for filming our event.

Lastly, THANK YOU DONORS for opening up your wallets and hearts to people unknown to you, to people on the verge of death because of hunger.

We had over 100 people attend our event and raised $4,000 for Islamic Relief and Mercy Corps.To both organizations — your work in countries around the world including Somalia is commendable and I hope that you continue to help those in dire need, even in difficult financial times.

Remember, your donation saved a life and THANK YOU for hearing the stories of those voiceless.

Sincerely,
Shukri Olow and Aser Ashkir

If you missed the event but would still like to help, one of the beneficiary charities, Mercy Corps, has a way to donate online – go here.

1 Reply to "Postscript to High Point dinner: 'Your donation saved a life'"

  • Mitch September 24, 2011 (1:29 pm)

    You may not agree with his policies but I don’t think any of us could ever question Mayor McGinn’s compassion, integrity or the courage to walk his talk. He didn’t go to this event because he thinks the Somali vote is the key to his re-election, but because I think that he truly believes that we are our brothers keeper. And although he wasn’t my first choice for mayor the more I see of the guy the more I respect him. The world would be a better place with more people like him and I for one am proud to have him represent me.

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