Celebrate Morningside 2008

Interested in helping us get donations for the big event? Here's what you'll need:

(Note: all forms are in PDF format. )

• Letter for the potential sponsor
• Procurement Form
• Sponsorship Form
• Display Ads Form
• Comments from parents and alumni about Morningside Academy

May 15, 2008

Dear Friend of the Academy,

This year's event was a huge success and its success reflects the effort of a year of planning and hard work undertaken by the entire "family" network, staff and administration of Morningside and the community. For the first time in the history of the event, this Gala became truly the annual event that was not only a signal social event but also a much-needed source of financial support for the school and a new link for alumni. It will supply scholarship funds of $60,000 and $45,000 income for the general fund of the school.

"Celebrate Morningside" has risen to an event of which we can be truly proud. So, for all that you have done or may do to support this effort, we are taken aback and given pause to honor you and your efforts. If you happen to pass some of our "worker bees" who spent many long hours in its preparation, please pass along some kudos. It's a big party to plan with lots of fast moving pieces and though we strive to please all, we are gratified to "pull it off' and have a fun evening while raising a sum of money for our school that truly makes a difference.

Please applaud all our sponsors and donors--an updated list is attached. Give thanks to our Auction Chairs and the committee without whom this event would not have been possible. Thank you goes out to those of you who made purchases at our auction or who attended this wonderful evening.

You are an amazing group, many of whom I have had the pleasure of working with on this fourth annual event. Some key people to recognize are: Kelli Bernhard, for the awesome silent auction and its glorious display, Kathy Randall for the record keeping of all the items, Jacqui Cohen for the first-ever interior decorating, Charlene Souriano for leading the new alumni association, and of course, Fran Reichert, Maria Santiesteban and Tiffany Thiele, our Co-Chairs for managing the event from beginning to end. The list of leaders and volunteers goes on and is listed in the Program.

We raised $105,000, and those funds will help our school, its programs and its scholarship fund. THANK YOU ALL!!

Sincerely,
Dawn Oliver
Director of Development

Special recognition of our 2008 Sponsors and Donors

Please attend our Gala Dinner/Auction on Friday evening, March 7, 2008. Invitations are available now. Please download the invitation and response card and return to Dawn Oliver, Director of Development. Your participation would truly make a difference!

Download the invitation.

Download the reply card and mail it in today.

Special people reserve their seats early. They want to help the school, and they want to know their table is marked with their name!!!

You can reserve a table now. Invite your family, friends, business associates and anyone else who appreciates a wonderful meal, great company and a fun evening.

Download the form and reserve your table today!

HEAR YE, HEAR YE...
You won't want to miss this year's event. Please tell all your friends about a phenomenal opportunity to purchase a very special piece of artwork recently completed by William Cumming.

This offering comes to us from The Woodside Braseth Gallery and is valued at $5,500.
Offered exclusively at the Morningside Auction on March 7!

The figurative paintings by renowned Northwest Master William Cumming are a fantastic celebration of color and life here in the great Northwest. He continues to capture people and animals in motion. His loose brush strokes of vibrant color define forms in light and shadow, coaxing the viewer into a conversation of invigorating life.

William Cumming is a native of Kalispell, Montana, and grew up in Tukwila, Washington. Largely a self-taught artist, he began his career as a painter working on the WPA Federal Art Project in Seattle from 1938 to 1940. William Cumming was the youngest member of the "Northwest School" of artists, whose members included Mark Tobey, Morris Graves, Kenneth Callahan, and Guy Anderson.

In 1961 the Seattle Art Museum devoted an exhibition to his work, and he has had one-man exhibitions at numerous galleries since that time. In addition to an active career as a painter, William Cumming has spent many years teaching art.

This donation is made personally by Diahann & John Braseth in honor of Dr. Kent Johnson and his amazing staff and teachers at our beloved Morningside Academy.

William Cumming, School Girl, 18" x 18", 2007
The Woodside Braseth Gallery, Value: $5,500
http://www.woodsidebrasethgallery.com/

14K Yellow Gold Snake Chain and 14K Yellow Gold Diamond Slider Pendant. Donated by Menashe and Sons Jewelers, 2532 California Avenue, Seattle, WA 98116. Value: $1,300.

18K Yellow Gold Lapis, Onyx and Opal Pendant by Designer Asch Grosbardt, 16" Chain. Donated by Alvin Goldrfarb Jewelers, 305 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue, WA 98004 Value: $650

Custom Mural by Cody Blomberg, Value, $700
Wanna live on the plains where giraffes roam all around you? Or do you want your very own spaceship on which to travel to distant galaxies? Perhaps you'd prefer to sleep next to your very own polar bear?
Take your little ones room from bland to glam with artwork by Cody Blomberg. From murals, wooden cutouts, works on canvas, to entire bedroom design, Cody's art will inspire your kiddies' imaginations so that they'll WANT to go to their room. Mural adjusted to match donation amount. To see examples of Cody's work visit www.codyblomberg.com.

Adam's career in TV actually began with 10 years of work in radio. In that period he worked for a handful of AM and FM stations here in the Puget Sound. Somewhere in the mix of all those stations he was overheard recording a stock report on a business/talk station and was immediately drafted as a traffic reporter. Since then he has broadcast traffic, weather, and news updates on countless radio stations across the Puget Sound earning the title "Seattle's Best Traffic Reporter" by Seattle Magazine in Dec. 2002.

Adam is a graduate of the University of Puget Sound, with a BA in Communication, and a minor in Music. When he isn't on air broadcasting, he's probably working on a stellar new magic trick, recording a new song, practicing Baguazhang in a local park, or taking a power nap.

Here are some of the items we've already procured for the auction!

We are thrilled to have John Maynard as our emcee this year! John is a talented communicator with a list of celebrities interviewed during his career that is quite impressive: Bill Cosby, Cher, Jerry Seinfeld, Yoko Ono, Meatloaf and Richard Simmons, are just a few.

John Maynard is a radio personality whose show "Robin and Maynard Show" has a strong following of fans hoping for the return of their popular show that was dropped recently due to program format changes by the station broadcasting the show.

John can be heard monthly now on KPLU in real estate segments with Richard Hagar. Maynard also taped some KPLU pledge-drive promotional announcements with comedian Jerry Seinfeld. And he played the part of the Squid-Lord in a recent production of Dick Stein's drama/musical/detective spoof "Jimmy Jazzoid." He is also doing some promotional work with Bastyr University.

HIs upbeat, spirited tone combined with his theatrics and humor should make for a most enjoyable evening!

The Lucky Seven Foundation has awarded Morningside Academy a Matching Gift Grant of $20,000 to be utilized for student scholarships.

What do we do?
We raise $20,000 for scholarships.

What happens next?
Lucky Seven will match it dollar for dollar.

Results:
We start out the year with $40,000 in our Scholarship Fund

This year’s fundraising challenge will be to Raise $20,000 for scholarships at “Celebrate Morningside 2008” Help us to make a difference for families requesting financial assistance!

Together, we can make a difference!

Special thanks to the Lucky Seven for their generosity!!!