Those who attended the 20th annual FUSION Art Event “RazzMaTazz and All That Jazz!” on Aug. 7 at the Dumas Bay Centre knew from the moment they entered that they were in for a very special evening.

The 1940s jazz-themed benefit was set for a fabulous garden party where approximately 650 guests enjoyed a spectacular evening of live jazz entertainment, food, wine and merriment.

With the creative and dynamic leadership of chairpersons Audrey Berglund, Ali Ducich and Kelsey Kovach, and the help of over 100 volunteers, Franciscan Health System and 56 generous sponsors, and hundreds of community supporters, FUSION hosted an art soiree that successfully raised a net profit of over $131,000 to support their transitional housing program for homeless families.

Longtime supporter King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer was the Honorary Chair, and our celebrated Keith Eldridge, KOMO 4 News Reporter, and wife, Jan Eldridge, presided over the evening’s festivities that included an art walk featuring 25 local artists, entertainment, a raffle, and silent and live auction.

Guests were entertained by local swing bands and dancers from Arthur Murray. Café Pacific Catering and Salty’s provided the catering, and Poverty Bay’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 (soon to be 17) 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 toward self-sufficiency. Over the past 20 years, nearly 83 percent of the families served have successfully moved on to permanent housing, becoming stable and self-sufficient.

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.

Peggy LaPorte on behalf of the FUSION Board of Directors