Happening now: ‘Hand Up for Mike’ with big-name auction items

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That’s the team you’ll find in the back room at Feedback Lounge (6451 California SW; WSB sponsor) till 4 pm today, with an amazing array of items for the “Hand Up for Mike” silent auction/party. (Mike’s the guy at front and center.) Till we saw the lineup for ourselves, we didn’t realize how many cool auction items they’d rounded up – here’s just a few things:

You might notice the Full Tilt logo. And there are gift certificates from Zippy’s Giant Burgers, Meander’s Kitchen, photos/merchandise from people whose work you’ve seen on WSB (Machel Spence, Jim Clark, and of course Christopher Boffoli and his now world-famous “Big Appetites”), and great stuff from folks you may not have met yet (but should!). The live dessert auction – emceed by Teri Ensley, who you might know from Furry Faces Foundation – promises to be a winner too, and that’s coming up at 3:05 pm:

If you don’t know Mike and haven’t read about him here before – in a nutshell – what happened to him is an all-too-common situation: A health crisis cost him his job, and his apartment, and suddenly he was homeless. After months at Nickelsville, he is now in transitional housing, and working hard to get a new start and get stability, with a new place to live, work, and more. This event is to get a little seed money for him … that “Hand Up.”

Aman March 25, 2012 (3:33 pm)

In the event you could not attend Sunday afternoon’s event, a “Hand Up For Mike” account has been opened at Umpqua Bank’s West Seattle branch located at 2620 California Avenue SW if you’d like to make a donation.
THANKS!

add March 25, 2012 (6:33 pm)

Sorry to have missed it – wow, look at those desserts!! I’ll make a donation at Umpqua. Hope everyone had a good time, what a wonderful event you all put on.

RarelyEver March 25, 2012 (7:48 pm)

I managed to stop in for a little while – great to finally meet Mike, and I even got a chance to chat with Dave. So proud to live in this famtastic community! West Seattle ROCKS! :)

cher stefano March 25, 2012 (8:40 pm)

I fully intended to come today but was unable. Will definitely go to the Umpqua this week. Hope you had a great turnout. Mike I love the pictures and you look wonderful. Miss seeing you and our visits at Thriftway thru the years before I retired. You always have such a good attitude and a warm friendly personality I had no idea you were going through so many challenges. Be safe and well my friend.

miws March 26, 2012 (9:20 am)

Huge thanks to everyone!

It was a fun event, and was great to see so many people; my sister, who trekked out from Kent, (and back of course,) via ACCESS Transportation, long time friends I hadn’t seen in quite some time, friends from Nickelsville, (both still currently there, and formerly there), WSB friends, both some I’ve seen face to face many times, (including Tracy & Patrick) and finally being able to put faces to other names.

It’s sounds cliche, but there just aren’t enough words to express my gratitude to everyone; those mentioned above, individuals and businesses that contributed goods, services, and some mighty fine artwork, and OMG those delicious looking desserts!! to the auction, those who bought these items at the auction, and of course, the Donors that have, and will contribute in a monetary way.

I especially want to thank “Team Mike”, a group of wonderful folks that not only have helped me in my transition out of Nickelsville when my health took a bad turn, but that continue to help me, as I work on getting into transitional housing and beyond. Each and every one busted their butts to organize, plan, set-up, tear-down, and otherwise participate in the day of event activities.

Okay, this is beginning to get wordy, (y’know, like at the Academy Awards or whatever, where the recipient goes on for five minutes, and the audience is falling asleep.)

Seriously though, again, HUGE thanks everybody!

Mike

miws March 26, 2012 (9:27 am)

cher, thanks!

I was curious as to who you were from your comment on the other article thread!

I definitely appreciate all of your years of great service, friendship, and laughs at Thriftway. Although I know you’re well missed there, you deserve every second of your retirement.

Mike

Krista March 26, 2012 (11:34 am)

Hi Mike-

Sorry to miss your event. I have been wanting to get in touch with you about some possible pet sitting work.

drop me an email if you are interested.

krista.rietberg@gmail.com

Aman March 26, 2012 (2:23 pm)

I dropped off my contribution and one for a fellow miws supporter today at “Hand Up For Mike account” at Umpqua Bank’s West Seattle branch located at 2620 California Avenue SW. They even gave me chocolate! SWEET!!

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