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OPERATION: Sack Lunch has hosted numerous events this year in an effort to raise funds for our continued services and to educate the public about hunger and homelessness. Because OSL is a non-profit organization, we rely solely on grants and donations by foundations, corporations, and individuals and our fundraising events. Public awareness and education is integral to bringing in funds for the program's existence.   

Our Benefit Concert and Silent Auction was held on the hottest day in June. Our executive director, and northwest recording artist Beverly Graham performed a two hour concert on June 4th. The concert featured Joe Carolus on Piano, Talya Marcus on Violin and Ken Wright on the African Drums. Beverly also debuted her song recently purchased by the Boeing Employees Community Fund  Campaign titled "Hearts and Hands Together." All this was performed in a
sweltering ninety degrees. Many thanks Senator Rosemary McAuliffe and her husband Jim who once again generously donated the use of the beautiful Hollywood Schoolhouse in Woodinville for our event. Thanks also to Eastlake District Garden Clubs for providing beautiful flower arrangements and Kim McGillivary for making scrumptious sugary delights. It was steaming in the Schoolhouse, whether from the music or the heat has yet to be decided!

OPERATION: Sack Lunch hosted its annual second annual Awareness Day. Our own Chef Dave Matthews and guest Chef Tom French created a fantastic meal which was then served to a unique lunch line of general public, 
OSL supporters, and politicians. Standing in line together to share a meal is an experience that encourages increased
compassion and understanding in those who do not normally rely upon our meals; an experience that will follow them into the work place, voting booths, and policy-making.

November found OPERATION: Sack Lunch at its annual Benefit Auction, Dinner and Swing Dance.  Hundreds of
exceptional items were donated by local and internationally renown artisans and shops, and then auctioned off by our
favorite auctioneer, Pat O'Brien. Generation Gap, a twenty-three piece swing band, provided outstanding entertainment which brought in additional new faces of swing dancers.  Thank you once again to head volunteer Chef Dave for working more than eighteen hours in the kitchen to create a stellar meal of prime rib with all the trimmings along with his boss, Anthony, a Boeing Engineer, who worked over and above the call of duty. Thank you also Hillcrest Bakery in Bothell for donating scrumptious Neapolitans for desert, and to Senator Rosemary McAuliffe along with the Columbia Winery for donating beverages from the vineyard. Jerry Berger kept the evening bids organized while Joel and Jeff Berger and friends helped decorate. Tracey Berger did a great job with the raffle and thanks to the Kamiakan and Juanita Middle Schoolers for serving and busing tables. Kathleen Bledsoe, Deb Torget and Kevin Jordan procured some amazing things, along with the OSL staff and board. While a smaller number of attendees meant we were stopped short of meeting our
fundraising goals, those that did attend were exceptionally generous and had a  marvelous time.

Many of our auction items were donated by artists who exhibited at the Best of the Northwest (Portland and Seattle).  Each year the Northwest Artist Alliance donates a space so we can present an informational booth on our program
Hundreds of artists exhibit and thousands of people attend these shows. Our director, Beverly Graham coordinates all the musical entertainment and performs the entire three days of the show. This musical stage doubles as a platform for
Beverly to inform thousands of people in this region about the work of OPERATION: Sack Lunch and the plight of the homeless. This year thank you to Costco and Dick DiCerchio for donating three thousand pops and bottled water to sell at the Seattle show for an additional fundraiser and to all the artists of the Best of the Northwest for supporting OSL.