All of this filthy adventure is, of course, to help the orphans. Each of the four women has bravely agreed to not only train hard and run the course, but to raise $1,000 toward helping the orphans of ORPHANS AFRICA. And a worthy cause it is too, with 90% of each dollar donated going directly to projects in Tanzania such as building dormitories for girls and boys, building kitchens, classrooms, libraries, and buying textbooks, microscopes, and school supplies.

Support the Down and Dirty

All of this is just a cold romp in the mud without your support. These women are taking the muddy plunge (woo-hoo!) and are asking you to please support their efforts. You can sponsor by clicking here. (All contributions are tax-deductible.)

If you’d like your contribution to be attributed to one of the four women, please enter her name in the comments box on the donation page, followed by “MUD RUN”. If you want your contribution to be shared equally between the four, simply enter “MUD RUN” in the comments box.

(L to R): Penny, Michele, Liza

Millenda and granddaughter

Fundraising Goal and Progress:

GOAL:                        $4,000.00

PROGRESS:                $2,310.00

STILL NEED:           $1,690.00

Individual Breakdown:    Penny:  $678.75     Michele:  $1373.75     Liza:  $138.75     Millenda:  $118.75

_______________

Carolyn W: “It’s all for Michele. You go, girl!”

Joyce W: “Good Job Millenda and team, know you’ll do great job while raising $$$ for the orphans.”

Virginia M: “Go Michele!”

Teresa S: “We expect a Brandi Chastain moment at the end of the run! Lots of pictures please. I’m sorry I’ll miss it.”

Mary and Terry R.: (For Michele) — “You go, girl! Luv u much.”

Bruce and Janet W: “Good luck and have fun getting dirty!”

Jennifer R.: (For Michele) — “Wishing you a wonderful day in the mud . . . I know you will do well.”

Terry and Patti S.: “Go Michele Torrey!!!!!”

Dan B.: “Enjoy the mud run.”

Greg and Becky S.: “Good luck on your race.”

John T.: “Get nasty!”

Sylvia T: (for Millenda) “Great cause ladies!”

Danilo de Guzman: “Go Liza! Make us proud by sending us pictures of the Mud Run!”

Other generous supporters:

Andrea and Nav B.

Anjali B.

Bob D.

William E.

Roy F.

Kathryn G.

Herb and Barb G.

Louise H.

Francine I. and Stephen W.

Andrea J.

Microsoft

Sharone K.

Ophelia

John P.

Nan and Todd S.

Ron and Lisa W.

Glen W.

The OA auction event was a fun evening. I was glad that I was able to go this year. Emerald Downs was nice, the table settings were beautiful and the diversity in the prices and styles of the auction items was great. I did not come from a family that went to a lot of charity auctions so I was a little intimidated having to be a presenter. I knew what I wanted to say and convey but actually doing either of those was the challenge. When time came, I went up to the podium and started with my speech. I lost it a little along the way but I knew that I got my point across when a few women came up to me thanking me and asked how they could help. It was a very good day for OA and for me.

DAVE SKOOR, OA BOARD MEMBER

A few weeks before the OA Benefit Dinner and Auction, Carl, the president of OA, asked me to prepare a presentation on my volunteer experience in Tanzania last September. And then he said that it had to be presented in only three minutes! Three minutes? How could I give justice to one of the most profound experiences that I had ever had in only three minutes? As I pondered how to satisfy the request within those parameters, my mind kept going back over my impressions of my trip to Tanzania. I knew I needed to boil down my thoughts into the vital few that would speak to this endeavor and what it meant to me.

So as I started reading my travel notes and looking again at the many photos that were taken, the following kept coming to mind:

Awesome – the sights and sounds of a land so different from here and the surreal aspect of seeing native wildlife so close that is was like being in a National Geographic magazine.

Hospitality and Appreciation – what I experienced with the people we came to help. They were so welcoming and appreciative of what we were trying to do.

Opportunities and the Gift of Hope – the reason OA exists… to provide the orphans an opportunity for a quality education which in turn gives the gift of hope for a better and healthier future and opens the door for more opportunities for themselves and their communities.

The Reason We Go . . . Entrusted by You, Our Donors – the  presentation showed images of the faces of both the orphan children and the widows of whom we serve through the generous giving of our donors. We are both humbled and strengthened by the trust you place in us to bring hope and encouragement to the lives that have so little but can give back so much.

In my preparations to share these thoughts at the benefit I was both nervous and concerned that I could not adequately share my impressions to those this organization owes so much. But as I stood at the podium that night looking at the many who had come to show their support for OA, I was excited to share what I had experienced and left that evening with a sense of awe of how generous people can be when they see a need, and their desire to be a part of this marvelous effort to provide assistance to those who are most vulnerable and bring the gift of hope, not only for today but also for the future. Thank you for your generous support and entrusting us in this partnership to serve others.

This year’s Benefit Auction at Emerald Downs was packed with goodies and good times, from the wonderful donated items, to the gourmet dinner, to the dessert dash where each table had 3.5 seconds to grab their dessert before someone else did, and everything in between. The rhythm of African drums filled the room as the centerpieces were raffled away — centerpieces carried straight from Tanzania and Kenya by our Orphans Africa staff: hand-carved antelope, giraffe, elephants, rhinos, wooden games, musical instruments, as well as colorful African fabrics.

Even in these economic down-times, the spirit of abundance shone through. Orphans Africa is delighted to announce that it netted close to $31,000, all of which will go directly to projects! With these funds, OA will be able to construct necessary structures at its three schools, provide textbooks and educational equipment for students, and so much more.  OA wishes to extend its heartfelt thank you to everyone who was involved: the auction chair, the auction committee, the folks who pitched in to set up the event, everyone who donated an item, and finally, to everyone who attended and gave so generously. Lives will be changed because of YOU! Asante sana!!

Finally, now you can watch the two Orphans Africa videos in their entirety, without interruption. Share these with your family, your friends, and well . . . with the whole world!!

VIDEO: “Never Give Up”

VIDEO: “Volunteer Impressions”

(NOTE: For those of you who can’t attend, we accept bids by proxy! Simply email us at oabenefit@orphansafrica.org with your bid and the item name by Thursday night. If you wish bid by proxy via phone during the live auction, please make arrangements with the OA office at 253-549-0089 at least 48 hours in advance. Immediate payment required upon winning item.)

 1. Southern BBQ Dinner                                                                Value: $150.00

Enjoy an authentic Southern BBQ dinner for six. Feast on smoked ribs, chicken, and brisket, tasty side dishes, and scrumptious “down home” dessert! Prepared and served by Kim & Rick Naten in their home or yours.

DONATED BY: Rick and Kim Naten

MINIMUM BID: $70.00

2. “Up the Creek” — Steel and Glass Fish Sculpture             Value: $499.00

Stephen Weldon has been a working artist all his life. After receiving his MFA in 1988 he taught painting, drawing, art history, batik and sculpture while producing his own art. He now works from a studio in Tulalip, WA. His sculptures are now shown at the Blackfish Gallery in La Conner, WA. Sculpture stands 18″ high and 27″ wide.

DONATED BY: Stephen Weldon and Francine Wight

MINIMUM BID: $220.00

 3. Puget Sound Luxury Yacht Cruise                                          Value: $250.00

Enjoy a 3-4 hour Puget Sound cruise for four guests on board the 39 Ft luxury yacht, Aquaviva, captained by Fox Island Yacht Club Commodore, Bill Marcy and his wife, Melanie. Lunch and drinks are provided. Kayaking is available from the on-board kayaks, if desired. Don’t miss this opportunity to take in the beautiful Puget Sound scenery with your family or friends from this amazing yacht!

DONATED BY: Bill and Melanie Marcy

MINIMUM BID: $110.00

4. Still Life in Oils                                                                                                           Value: $950.00

Beautiful original framed oil painting featuring fruit bowl and vase & flowers by award-winning artist, Donna Trent (16″ X 20″ original, 22″ X 26″ with frame). “Painting with oils and pastels allows me to put down on a painting surface wonderfully brilliant colors and contrasting values . . . When one views my images, I hope they can feel the emotion and excitement that emanates from the flat surface of the painting, making it an interesting and believable three dimensional work of art” — Donna.

DONATED BY: Donna Trent — (Visit Donna online by clicking here.)

MINIMUM BID: $300.00

5. Snowshoeing Adventure                                                                                            Value: $80.00

Breathe the crisp winter air at Snoqualmie Pass, and enjoy the beautiful scenery as you snowshoe through the tall evergreens, surrounded by mountain vistas. This snowshoeing adventure is for two people, and includes snowshoes, poles, and lunch.

DONATED BY: Penny Kay

MINIMUM BID: $50.00

6. Cap’n Carl’s Crabbin‘ Cruise                                                                                     Value: $250.00

AHOY! Join Cap’n Carl aboard his boat for a day of crabbing in Puget Sound (during crabbing season which is usually August and September).  Everything is provided for four lucky people! Tour beautiful Gig Harbor and motor under the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. The cruise includes an on-board lunch plus a dinner at the end of the day (hopefully an all-out crab-feed!). Departure is from Fox Island.

DONATED BY: Cap’n Carl Gann and First Mate Michele Torrey

MINIMUM BID: $110.00

7. “Little Brother”                                                                                                           Value: $300.00

This original framed drawing called “Little Brother” has been beautifully, yet subtly rendered in colored pencil by author/illustrator, Andrea Torrey Balsara (11″ X 14″ original, approx 16″ X 20″ framed). For her subject, Andrea used a photograph taken by Liza de Guzman (OA Co-Founder) during a trip to Bujela village in Tanzania. The original photograph is also available in digital format for free to the winning bidder.

DONATED BY: Andrea Torrey Balsara — (Visit Andrea online by clicking here.)

MINIMUM BID: $125.00

8. Eight days/seven nights in Maui Oceanfront Condo                                          Value: $1660.00

Enjoy 8 days and 7 nights accommodations in an upscale condo in Maui. Located on beautiful Maalaea Harbor, this oceanfront condo boasts two bedrooms, two baths, and is loaded with amenities! During whale season, you can watch humpback whales while you relax on the lanai. A short five-minute walk takes you to shops and restaurants, a world-class aquarium, plus a marina with daily snorkeling and diving excursions. A seven-minute walk in the other direction takes you to Sugar Beach — a three-mile stretch of undeveloped sandy beach, protected as a bird and wildlife sanctuary and perfect for those early morning walks. Don’t miss this opportunity to have your fun in the sun! (View photos and virtual tour by clicking here.)

DONATED BY: Carl Gann and Michele Torrey

MINIMUM BID: $750.00
RESTRICTIONS: Airfare not included. Six guests maximum. Must be used within 18 months.

9. Original Artwork by Jeanne Davis                                                                         Value: $200.00

Framed, original watercolor by award-winning artist, Jeanne Davis (approximately 16″ X 16″, including frame). Jeanne’s paintings are graceful, serene, and full of vibrant color. Her scenes include landscapes of rolling hills, old farmsteads, country meadows, nearby creek beds, and West Coast beaches.  “My paintings reflect where I have lived.  I find beauty in the landscape and I am inspired to paint. . . .” — Jeanne

DONATED BY: Jeanne Davis — (Visit Jeanne online by clicking here.)

MINIMUM BID: $90.00

10. African Photo Safari                                                                                                 Value: $3,950.00

Zulu Nyala Game Lodge in South Africa is offering a 6 day/ 6 night African Photographic Safaris for two people.  Six days / six nights luxury accommodation at Zulu Nyala Luxury Hemmingway Tented Safari Camp or Heritage Safari Lodge or Game Lodge situated in the heart of South Africa’s Zululand conservation region – one of the richest conservation regions in Africa. Full board included — that is, three delicious meals per day, prepared by the finest chefs with an African flavor, of course. Two game viewing activities per day guided by professional game rangers in open game viewing vehicles.

DONATED BY: Zulu Nyala Game Lodge  (www.zulunyala.com)

MINIMUM BID: $1,000
RESTRICTIONS: Airfare not included.

11. “Fund-a-Need”

LUMBER ($1,000): Buy 160 boards of lumber! Due to the high demand and dwindling supply, lumber is one of the most expensive of building materials. Yet lumber is essential in building roof supports and framing out doors and windows.

SAND ($750): Buy three truckloads of sand! Sand is an essential construction material used in the foundation and footing, and mixed with cement for flooring

BRICKS ($500): Buy four truckloads of bricks! These bricks are made from the red earth. Water is poured into a hole. The resulting mud is formed into bricks, hard-dried in the sun, and then kiln-fired.

TIN ROOF ($250): Buy twenty-five 8′ sheets of tin roofing! Properly installed, a corrugated tin roof will last twenty years, keeping students dry even during the rainy season.

MEDICAL BAG OF SUPPLIES ($150): Buy a medical bag filled with supplies! Aspirin, antibiotic ointments, bandages . . . these are just a few of the much-needed items your gift will buy.

BUNK BED AND MATTRESS ($100): Buy one bunk bed and two mattresses! Each ORPHANS AFRICA dormitory houses 48 orphans, requiring 24 bunk beds. Bunk beds are constructed of wood and made by hand.

TEXTBOOKS ($50): Buy one set of textbooks for an orphan student! Orphans struggle to keep up in school when other students have textbooks but they don’t. One set of textbooks includes seven subjects such as English, Math, and Science. Give the gift of knowledge!

CEMENT ($25): Buy a 50 kilogram bag of cement! Bricks without a coating of cement can collapse in heavy rains. Your gift of cement will ensure a sturdy structure.

12. Timeshare Condo at Whiski Jack Resort, Whistler, BC                   Value: $14,900.00

Timeshare ownership of two bedroom, two bath, 6-person occupancy condominium at Whiski Jack Resorts, Ltd. Condo, Town Plaza Unit 213, Week 47 (Late November), located in Central area of Whistler, British Columbia. Also included is a membership in Raintree Vacation Club which enhances the exchange process and potential usage of condos in approximately 13 other Raintree Resorts located in Mexico, Hawaii and mainland USA. Located on Whistler Village Stroll, this condo is a short 5-minute walk to the lifts and Whistler Village Center. This is the ideal location for your active vacation, as restaurants, retail shops and nightclubs are located on the ground floor. You cannot get any closer to the heart of the action!

DONATED BY: Glen and Martha Fishel

MINIMUM BID: $4500 (approximately $2500 of which consists of 2012 membership fees and closing costs, with remainder going to Orphans Africa.)

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT FOR Fishel’s Town Plaza Condo offered to benefit Orphans Africa

Closing Costs and 2012 Maintenance Fees:
Town Plaza Owners Corporation 2012 Maintenance Fee    $744.15 (CAD)
Raintree Vacation Club 2012 Membership Fee                   $139.00 (CAD)
Condo Legal Fees & Disbursement Fee (approximately      $575.00 (CAD)
{Includes legal fees, registration costs, miscellaneous disbursements (title searches, etc.) and taxes on legal fees}
Management Company Administration Fee                         $175.00 (CAD)
Property Transfer Tax – 1% of Sale Price                            $    ??
Raintree Vacation Club Membership Transfer Fee                $499.00 (CAD)
Approximate Total                                                               $2,132.15 (CAD) +??

About the Unit:
The Whistler Town Plaza Suites is a collection of three Whistler lodges, Deer, Bear and Eagle Lodges. These three buildings, which comprise the Town Plaza Suites, are located on Whistler Village Stroll, a short 5-minute walk to the lifts and Whistler Village Centre. This is “the” ideal location for your active vacation, as restaurants, retail shops and nightclubs are located on the ground floor of The Whistler Town Plaza Suites.  You cannot get any closer to the heart of the action!
 Whistler’s Town Plaza Suites offers studios, one and two bedroom condos all spacious with fully equipped kitchen, gas fireplaces and in-suite washers and dryers.  The unit being offered is a corner unit in the Bear Lodge, on the 2nd Floor on the SW end overlooking a walking bridge that leads to the main part of Whistler Village and the Whistler Village Gondola.  This condominium has an open concept kitchen, dining and living room with TV and DVD player and washer/ dryer combos. Bedrooms have Queen beds and there are Queen sized sofa sleepers in the living rooms.  Town Plaza building amenities include secured underground parking and access to the common area hot tub in the Eagle Lodge. Whiski Jack at Whistler Town Plaza is one of the most popular accommodation options within Whistler Village. For more information about this beautiful property or other Whiski Jack resort locations, visit their website at: www.whiskijack.com!

The 47th Week can be deposited with Raintree Vacation Club and used throughout the year as points for lodging at any of their resorts, inlcuding other Whistler condos.  Bonus time and special rates are available at their other resorts such as Birch Bay, Washington, Mexico, Hawaii and other locations. You can also deposit your points with Raintree or use them with exchanges through RCI.  Raintree provides 80,000 points for this week each year when the Maintenance fees are paid.  This offer includes 2 weeks of points which are transferable with the property.

Property Management:
Trading Places International Management – Canada INC, (TPI) has recently been contracted to provide Management of the Whiski Jack Resort Properties at Whistler.  They are handling Reservation Services, Maintenance Fee Payments, Bonus Time, and Property Cleaning and Repairs.  TPI information can be found on the Internet at www.tradingplaces.com.

So this is my official group hug. To each of you who gave, thank you and God bless you. And for those of you who attended the auction and purchased book baskets, wow! We raised over $17,000 at our auction, enough to nearly complete a kitchen and dining hall at our nursery and primary boarding school for orphans! Even now, our official group hug is reaching across the ocean to embrace children who otherwise wouldn’t have a chance at a quality education. It is essential to their well-being to know that people care about them.

The following authors generously donated books. As an extended group hug, I invite you to visit their websites, peek around, and post your accolades and appreciation. They deserve it.

Kobbie Alamo

Andrea Torrey Balsara

Anjali Banerjee

Carole Stevens Bibisi

David Bouchard

Martha Brockenbrough

Royce Buckingham

Dia Calhoun

Janet Lee Carey

Nina Durfee

Marilou Flinkman

Heather Vogel Frederick

Kathryn Galbraith

Ron Hirschi

Peg Kehret

Judith Laik

Kirby Larson

Margaret Lippert

Susan Marlow

Clare Hodgson Meeker

Gretchen Olson

Craig Orback (illustrator)

Terry Persun

Colleen Reece

Joni Sensel

When: February 27, 2010

Time: 6:00-9:30 p.m.

Cost: $35.00 per person

Where: Liberty Theater, 116 West Main Ave, Puyallup, Washington 98371, www.thelibertytheater.com

Click here for a copy of a ticket order form.

Click here for a copy of a flyer to post in your neighborhood or church.