The Sitka Maritime Heritage Society would like to extend a big thank you to the Juneau Community Foundation and the Douglas-Dornan Foundation Fund for the grant we have recently received. The grant will go toward purchasing lumber for an accessibility ramp at the Japonski Island Boathouse. Since 2005, the SMHS has worked diligently towards rehabilitating this historical building, part of a National Historic Landmark District, for use as a public maritime heritage center. We are dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich maritime heritage of our region and are very grateful for the support from the Douglas-Dornan Foundation Fund and Juneau Community Foundation.
Laura Bennett,
Executive Director for Sitka Maritime Heritage Society
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Juneau Trail and Road Runners’ ninth annual Lynn Canal Running Camp is in the books and we have many to thank. Forty high school runners from all over Alaska and the country — JDHS, TMHS, Ketchikan, Sitka, Palmer, California, Missouri, Washington and Utah — teens explored Juneau’s (dry!) trails and towering peaks while learning the values of community, friendship and teamwork.
Thank you to our workshop leaders who lead sessions ranging from injury prevention to steeplechase to Eagle Beach aqua jogging: Shona Osterhout, Jamie Bursell, Mary Aparezuk, Jenny Strumfeld, Justin Dorn, Laura Maruhashi, Audra Henderson, Kenny Fox and Abby McAllister. Special thanks to Becca Braun for inspiring us with John Caouette’s life advice.
Speaking of John, thank you to the John Caouette Memorial Fund, JTRR and the Juneau Community Foundation for seed funding provided more than 9 years ago for which this camp would never have been possible. The Douglas Dornan Foundation, Valley Medical Care, Juneau Emergency Medical Associates, John Bursell, Sandi Pahlke, White Pass & Yukon Railroad Route, Secon, Cycle Alaska, Joy Neyhart, RMC Engineering, Juneau Physical Therapy, MRV Architects, JM Walsh & Co., Rainbow Foods, Nugget Alaskan Outfitter, Coppa, Safeway and many other local citizens made financial and in-kind contributions. The United States Forest Service and CBJ Parks and Recreation Department were gracious in their collaboration while Eagle River United Methodist Camp, especially Tracy and Sergei, endured our exuberance and camp shenanigans.
Thank you to the Morley-Strumfeld, Mead and Holst families for hosting out-of-town campers. Alice Ottoson-McKeen, Elizabeth Ramseth, Erin Wallace, Kaleb Korta and Andre Bunton were our energetic and dedicated camp counselors, Chef Greg (Gary, Craig) Smith artfully fed 50 ravenous endurance athletes and staff, and Jesse Stringer diligently filmed everything from our mountain-top highs to Olympic game antics. Geoff Roes, Bob Marshall, Liam Thier, Morgan Michels, Jamie and John Bursell and many other local Juneauites provided support and safety guiding campers on trail adventures. Advance praise to JTRR treasurer Kym Mauseth for putting up with requests, emails, texts and receipts after camp!
LCRC is grateful to all those who maintain and improve our world-class trails and to everyone in our community who helps ensure the health, enthusiasm and support for the next generation of runners. If we missed thanking you personally, please know that camp would not be possible without you.
Thank you!
Merry Ellefson, Zack Bursell, Hilary Young and Tristan Knutson-Lombardo
Lynn Canal Running Camp Directors
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After spending the last 14 years as the manager of the Southeast Alaska Food Bank, and the last 36 years living in Juneau, my life circumstances have necessitated that I move to the MatSu Valley to be closer to family.
I deeply regret that I’ve resigned my position with the Southeast Alaska Food Bank, effective August 30.
I’m very proud of my time with this wonderful organization, and am extremely pleased with everything that we have accomplished since I first became Manager in May 2005.
In those 14 years, I’ve seen the food bank grow significantly and become one of the most recognized nonprofits in Southeast Alaska.
I’ll always care deeply about the Southeast Alaska Food Bank and its mission. I firmly believe that we’ve been on the front lines of changing thousands of lives of our most vulnerable friends, neighbors, coworkers, and even family members here in Southeast Alaska, and I’ll continue to help the Southeast Alaska Food Bank in any way possible.
I’d like to thank all of our very generous donors for your support over the years. Your selflessness has been an inspiration, and has helped us to be able to effectively respond to the increasing demand for our services.
I’d especially like to thank Dennis Watson, Jim Wilcox Sr., Dave Lefebvre, Rod Morrison, Mark Graham, Tony DeMelo, as well as Wayne at United Way, for all of your friendship, mentoring, and support over the years. I feel blessed to have been able to work alongside each and every one of you.
I would also like to thank Mike, Judy, Rick, Jessie, Patty, MaryLee, Deb, Gail, James, Tim, Alisha, Jo, Wayne, Chloie, Cecelia, PJ, Melissa, Marion, Hien, Mallorie, Ken, and all of our other volunteers for your friendship and all of your hard work over the years. You’ve been like a family to me, and the countless hours you’ve spent volunteering at the food bank have been invaluable, and have helped us further our mission of making sure that no one in Southeast Alaska goes to bed hungry at night.
Rest assured that this is not a “goodbye” by any means. This is simply a “until our paths cross again.” As Winnie the Pooh once said, “How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”
Thank you again for everything, Juneau!
Sincerely,
Darren Adams
Manager for Southeast Alaska Food Bank
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Love Inc Juneau recently received recognition for 15 years of service at the 2019 Love Inc National Gathering in Excelsior,Minnesota.
Love In the Name of Christ Juneau would like to thank everyone who has helped us in any way over the past 15 years.
Thank you partner churches, friends, donors, volunteers, clients, staff, Board members and prayer warriors.
From humble beginning and a handful of partner churches, today Love INC has 23 partner churches, and more than 100 volunteers working together to demonstrate the love of Christ in practical ways to our neighbors in need.
Each year Love INC has been blessed to be able to touch hundreds of lives through its GAP ministries of food, clothing, furniture, kitchen items, baby care items, personal care items, prayer, educational classes, and random acts of kindness.
Guy Crockroft
Executive Director Love Inc
