On behalf of the Lake County Hunger Task Force, I would like to acknowledge and thank all of the individuals and businesses who made our 2011 Bountiful Boxes fundraiser such a rousing success.

It is with extreme gratitude that we thank Michelle Scully, who conceived of this project in 2010, and has been the instrumental reason we were able to carry out this project.

She contacted all of the donors, coordinated gathering the supplies, arranged for the location of the packing party, and served as chief cheerleader throughout. Without her efforts, none of this would have taken place.

The businesses and individuals who donated the boxes, pears, walnuts, wine and olive oil really stepped up with their generosity. All of the products donated were top quality.

We would like to sincerely thank Scully Packing, International Paper, Colleen Rentsch, Greg Hanson, Bullion Creek Vineyards, Lake County Wineries Association, Lake County Walnuts, Rosa d’Oro, Wildhurst Vineyards, Steele Winery, Chacewater Wine Co. and Olive Mill, Shed Horn Cellars, Guenoc Vineyards, Lake County Winegrape Commission, Sig Sigma Winery, Shannon Ridge Winery and Ceago Vineyards.

Thanks to Gloria Flaherty and the Lake Family Resource Center for loaning us their garage to use for our distribution. It was a warm refuge for the afternoon.

A thousand thank yous to the numerous volunteers that helped pack and distribute the boxes!

Kudos to Esther Stone, Gail Robello, Mary Beth Woodward, Sally Evans, Lou Denny, Ellen Sommers, Scott Sommers, Michelle Scully, Tammy Alakszay, and Toni Scully for enduring the cold temperatures in the packing shed to assemble 136 boxes.

The following day saw many of the same crew, with the addition of Colleen Rentsch to help us distribute them. Thank you all. The many hands made the work that much more fun.

A separate shout out to Scully Packing for the loan of their packing shed as our assembly location.

Thanks to Phillip, Toni, Patrick, Andy and Michelle for making the task easy to manage.

A huge thank you must go to the purchasers and donors who gave additional funds to the project.

The money they gave was turned into $25 grocery cards that were given to 17 Lake County residents in need of some help.

Finally, thank you to all of those who purchased the Bountiful Boxes. We hope you enjoyed the local, fine quality products that were inside. We hope to repeat the success this coming Christmas.

 

Lorrie Gray is a volunteer with the Lake County Hunger Task Force. She lives in Kelseyville, Calif.