Dear Friends of FUSION,

Those who attended the 19th annual FUSION art event, “Moulin Rouge,” on Aug. 1 at the Dumas Bay Centre knew from the moment they stepped under the beautiful red windmill that they were in for a very special evening.

The Paris-themed benefit was set for a fabulous garden party where approximately 650 guests enjoyed a spectacular evening of entertainment, food, wine and merriment.

With the creative and dynamic leadership of chairpersons Lorna Chirilla and Karen Garvey, and the help of more than 100 volunteers, 52 event sponsors, and hundreds of community supporters, FUSION hosted an art soiree that successfully raised a net profit of $135,000 to support their transitional housing program for homeless families.

Keith Eldridge, KOMO 4 News reporter, and wife, Jan Eldridge, along with Angela King, former TV news reporter, presided over the evening’s festivities that included an art walk, local artists, entertainment, a raffle, and silent and live auction.

Guests were entertained by can-can dancers from the Federal Way 9th Avenue School of Dance under the direction of Christine Vandenberg with choreography by Tesee George. French-inspired appetizers were provided by Café Pacific Catering, and cakes were sampled from Salty’s. Poverty Bay Coffee’s refreshing smoothies were a huge hit on the warm summer evening.

Funds raised at this event will be invested in our transitional housing and support services for homeless families in the Federal Way and NE Tacoma communities. FUSION (Friends United to Shelter the Indigent, Oppressed, and Needy) currently maintains and operates 16 fully furnished housing units and contracts case management services through Catholic Community Services.

The “fusion” of community efforts has enabled our volunteer-based, non-profit organization to grow and provide for the needs of families in transition as they work towards self-sufficiency. Over the past 19 years, nearly 83 percent of the families served have successfully moved on to permanent housing.

On behalf of the FUSION Board of Directors and the families we serve, we want to thank you for your continued support. Hundreds of volunteers have given their time to FUSION and many businesses, churches, and individuals have sponsored the mission with donations and in-kind services throughout the year to FUSION.

By working together, we are able to empower families, giving them hope, and enabling them to realize their dreams of a stable and secure future.

We would like to especially thank the Federal Way Mirror for their continued support of our mission and for creating community awareness through their donation of advertising space and printed articles.

With appreciation,

The FUSION Board of Directors