A foundation of generosity
PARK CITY - Folks in Summit and Wasatch counties know how to be generous with time and money for good causes and have a good time doing both.
That is what brought 125 guests to the home of Christina Miller and Trevor Adrian on Aug. 17 to raise money for Habitat for Humanity, Summit & Wasatch Counties.
Appetizers and dinner by Cuisine Unlimited with a view of Swaner Nature Preserve were mixed with signing up for various necessities for the home currently under construction in Kamas, such as a sink ($300), sheetrock ($800) and individual miscellaneous gifts ($100-plus). The group has built seven houses housing 18 children and 10 adults, carrying the mortgages for 30 years at no interest, and is supported by donations and mostly staffed by volunteers.
Habitat for Humanity, Summit & Wasatch Counties is an affiliate of Habitat International and a nonprofit housing organization that serves Summit and Wasatch counties, building affordable houses in partnership with those who lack adequate shelter. Volunteers work side-by-side with recipient families, who "invest" two to 500 hours of "sweat equity" in their houses.
Many guests boasted hands-on experience with the building projects, and the event raised an estimated $40,000.
At the party
Co-chairwomen Debbie Dorius and Christina Miller, Ashlie Allen, John Carlquist, Julie Hooker, Michael Kirklen, Sally and Torch Elliott, V.J. and Larry Petitt, Bill Jahsman, Marilynn Roskelley and Paul Dorius, Jeff and Jana Daily, Sally and Hans Fuegi, Julie and Andy Bernhard, John and Danielle Barragan, Colleen Rush, Ramon Gomez, Joan Edwards and Meeche White.
Literacy Action Center benefit
All jazzed up for reading
At first glance, the many-colored chart hanging on a window at Tony Caputo's Market and Deli looked like a map.
And, in a way, it is. The "map" is a success chart made by adult learners who are students in the Literacy Action Center, putting their words up front and center at the "Jazz on a Summer Evening" benefit for the center Aug. 15:
"I read a book to my grandchild for the first time today!"
"I can read the note the teacher sent home with my son."
"I can read the words on cereal boxes instead of just looking at the pictures."
The center, following the "each one teach one" model, has been teaching functionally illiterate English-speaking adults to read and write for more than two decades. Prospective tutors complete a two-day class to qualify to teach. Student and tutor usually meet twice weekly at the center, 3595 S. Main St., South Salt Lake, for one-hour sessions. The board meets monthly to review progress.
Adult learner Bonnie Lindsey decided to learn how to read because she wanted to read to her grandchildren. Julie Liljenquist, who has cerebral palsy, attended the party with tutor Kathy Prudhomme. Liljenquist said she needed to learn how to read notes from friends.
"I want to start college," she said to applause.
Cool jazz on a hot night was provided by Keven Johansen, Alex Rowe and Alan Michael.
At the deli
Executive Director Deborah Young, Donna Mirabelli, Trudy Bach-Whitehead, John Jonkman and Terri Neihart, Jill Vanderwood, Mary Sohn and Kay Senzie, Liz Cordova, Judy Cohen, Isabel Frech, Dorothy Mullins, Nancy Wolfe, Emmy Walsh, Janice Kimball, Suzanne Leonelli, Elissa Jorgensen, Rosalie Mirabelli, Roseann Milano, Hillary Diven, Caroline Keller, and Karen and Doug George.
Coming up
* American Express Zoo Rendezvous, Sept. 6, 6-11 p.m., 2600 Sunnyside Ave., Salt Lake City. No guests under 21, please. Tickets are $150; call 801-584-1741 or visit www.zoorendezvous.com.
* One H.E.A.R.T. (Health, Education And Research, Tibet) Grateful Heart Gala, Sept. 6, 6:30 p.m., Rose Sachs Gardens, Parleys Canyon, I-80 East to exit 131 and over the highway from Salt Lake City; I-80 West to exit 132 from Park City. Tickets are $100; call 801-596-3317.
* You are invited to give children a helping hand by attending "Head Start in Bloom" Sept. 7, 5:45 p.m., at La Caille, 9565 Wasatch Blvd., Sandy. Tickets are $125; www.headstart-slcap.org.
* Ogden Nature Center's 22nd Annual Wildwoods BASH is Sept. 8, 5 p.m., 966 W. 12th St., Ogden. Tickets are $60; call 801-621-7595.
* The Utah Symphony "Grand Gala Royale" is set for Sept. 14, with a pre-concert black-tie dinner from 5 to 7 p.m., at Grand America Hotel, 555 S. Main St., Salt Lake City, and post-concert dessert and dancing at Grand America, for $150; dinner only, $125; post-concert party only, $35. Call 801-869-9000. Tickets for the Utah Symphony performance are separate. Call the box office, 801-533-6683.
* Planned Parenthood Association of Utah invites you to dinner and theater Sept. 14, with dinner at 5:30 p.m., Hilton Salt Lake City, 255 S. West Temple, and Monty Python's "Spamalot" at 8 p.m., Capitol Theatre, 50 W. 200 South. Dinner/theater tickets are $150; limited theater-only tickets, $90. Call 801-532-1586.
