Entries tagged with “Alathia Church”.
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Sun 10 Jan 2010
Posted by Issaquah Highlands under News
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The struggles associated with this year’s recessionary economy have no doubt been shared by many and have taken a toll on families around the country; some more severe than others. Unfortunately, one does not have to look far to find local families in our community that are in desperate need of assistance. This season, members of the Issaquah Highlands Contribution Club (the“IHCC”), an organization dedicated to bringing together the families and individuals of Issaquah Highlands to support the local community in need, provided aid and assistance to 16 families from local churches and the Issaquah Food Bank through an “Adopt a Family” Program.
Together, groups of residents and local churches pulled together to fulfill wish lists and meet the needs of these local families to provide food, clothing, gifts for children and most importantly hope and a little joy this holiday season.
“Reading through the stories of these families struggling breaks your heart,” said IHCC member Anne Taylor Hartzell. “Many are single moms, struggling to put food on the table and are now forced to agonize over how to tell their small children there will be no holiday presents only adds to their stress. We had to do something to mobilize our community and provide these families with at least one day of relief from the stresses in life.”
The IHCC holiday family adoption program could not have been possible without the generous support of time and donations by our neighborhood captains, leaders from Mosaic and Alathia Churches, Starpoint Condos and the Issaquah Highlands Community Association. The response was overwhelming as neighborhood captains began reaching out to their neighbors via email and door-to-door to fulfill wish lists, shop and wrap gifts. The impact was felt not only by those that were receiving, but also by those that were giving.
“I was blown away by the willingness of our neighbors to help out our family in need,” said Candace Powell, neighborhood captain and Highlands resident. “Going door-to-door, sharing these stories and collecting donations from neighbors is truly amazing and really emphasized for me our strong sense of community.” The adopt a family initiative brought all corners of the
Issaquah Highland’s community together to make a lasting impact on a few families this season and is just another example of how together, residents can make a meaningful impact on shared initiatives that improve the lives of our community. The IHCC
organizes other programs throughout the year and plans to partner closely with the Issaquah Food Bank and other local organizations next year to expand its Adopt a Family program.
Sun 6 Dec 2009
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This year Alathia Community Church, with the help of many generous community leaders and sponsors, is putting on a Christmas festival for the community. This year our theme remains “Give a Life Changing Gift for Christmas.” Adults and children alike will love the free concert put on by jazz recording artist Gail Pettis. Festival attendees will witness a living nativity complete with an angel perched atop a 4 story building and a stable including an 8 foot tall camel.
The festival will also include hay rides, pictures with Santa, as well as Christmas themed crafts and activities for the kids. All proceeds raised from this year’s festival will be donated to World Vision— and used to help people trapped in poverty and/or desperate social situations. World Vision is an impressive Non-Government Organization (NGO) that helps about 100 million people in nearly 100 countries on 5 continents. They focus on child sponsorships, food aid, clean water, HIV and aids prevention, emergency relief, resolution of humanitarian crises, and microfinance programs. Building on our success last year we are encouraging our neighbors to consider giving $75 to World Vision. A $75 dollar donation provides a needy family a goat for Christmas. A goat nourishes a family with fresh milk, cheese, and yogurt, and can offer a much-needed income boost by providing offspring and extra dairy products for sale at the market. It even provides fertilizer that can dramatically increase crop yields. I invite you and your family to consider giving a life-changing gift this Christmas. You can learn more by visiting the information booths at the festival or by visiting www.worldvision.org.
Fri 1 May 2009
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A little drizzle did not keep Issaquah Highlands families from enjoying this year’s Egg Hunt festivities! Hosted at Blakely Hall and the Village Green on April 11, over 1,000 people, (mostly children) scooped up over 7,000 stuffed
plastic eggs over the course of three age specific hunts! The event began at 10am and there was plenty to do while waiting between egg hunts. The Issaquah High School Jazz Band and Icon Church volunteer musicians kept the crowd energy high on the damp and cloudy day with great music. Other activities included a visit and picture with the Easter Bunny, (played for the third year in a row by IHS student and resident, Alec Jacobs), face painting, coloring table, carnival games, and giant inflatable slide and bounce house. The big hit of the day and new this year, was the farm animal petting zoo!
The event was closed by a lovely ballet exhibition inside Blakely Hall. Local MK Ballet Studio dancers performed to a standing room only crowd. Every child was mesmerized by the beauty of the costumes and graceful dances. “I know every little girl was tugging on their daddy’s sleeve and saying ‘I want to do that too daddy!’”, said Pastor Paul Dean of Alathia Community Church. Pastor Barry Odom of Mosaic Church was the emcee for the event. Barry awarded the Annual Coloring Contest winners from three age specific drawings. The winners are: 0-PreK: Miranda Schafer, K-2nd: Ang Pima Chin, 3rd-5th: Anna Gretchen Robertson. Winners can pick up their prize at Blakely Hall during normal business hours by May 15.
Port Blakely Communities, Highlands Council, and local business sponsors, Accent Insurance, and John Thompson Real Estate provided the financial resources to get the event into production. Ticket sales covered the remaining
costs with all proceeds benefiting Eastside Baby Corner (www.babycorner.org). No homeowner dues were applied to the production of this community event and of course, the event was 100% volunteer run!
Alathia Community Church, Icon Church, and Mosaic Church wish to thank everyone for volunteering, including members of the respective congregations, community members, and most importantly, the hardworking students
from Skyline High School, Issaquah High School, Pacific Cascade Freshman Campus, and Issaquah Middle School! “All of the students had a great time while working very hard to keep the event on schedule and maintain a safe environment.” Volunteer and Event Coordinator, Christy Garrard also adds, “Most of the students arrived at 7am to help set up and were the last to leave at the end of the day; we could not have done it without their help!”
The churches are also grateful to the residents who donated candy and toy prizes for the egg hunt and to Clif Bar for donating 1,000 Clif bars for free giveaways. Special thanks to Wyldlife, a middle school branch of Young Life, for hosting the concessions for the event. Everyone enjoyed the Krispy Kreme donuts, hot coffee and hot chocolate.
The Egg Hunt festivities ended at noon for the elementary set but Blakely Hall and Village Green came alive again after sunset when Wyldlife hosted a middle school flashlight egg hunt for over 100 area students! This event was another great example of the success of the urban village development concept. Residents, their friends, and family enjoying the holiday in the park, just steps from their front doors.
Tags: Accent Insurance, Alathia Church, Blakely Hall, Icon Church, Issaquah High School, Issaquah Middle School, Issaquah School District, John Thompson Real Estate, MK Ballet, Mosaic Church, Pacific Cascade Freshman Campus, Port Blakely Communities, Skyline High School, YoungLife
Sat 28 Mar 2009
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In Issaquah Highlands, an annual rite of spring is the community Easter Egg Hunt. Last year, over 1,500 kids and adults enjoyed the event. This year the Egg Hunt will be back at Blakely Hall and the Village Green on Saturday, April 11th from 10am until Noon. This year’s Easter Egg Hunt is presented by Issaquah Highland’s churches: Alathia Community Church, Icon Church and Mosaic Seattle Church.
All proceeds over the cost of event production will benefit Eastside Baby Corner (www.babycorner.org). The churches are grateful for the generous financial support of Port Blakely Communities and Highlands Council. Local business sponsors are also critical to the funding of these large community events as no homeowner dues are ever applied. And, of course, the event is 100% volunteer run! The event begins at 10am and will feature three age specific hunts for children through 5th grade inside the Village Green Park – rain or shine! There will be plenty to do while you wait for your child’s age group to be called into the park, including a picture with the Easter Bunny, carnival games and face painting, and new this year, LIVE MUSIC featuring the Issaquah High School Jazz Band!
Families will also enjoy visiting with their favorite farm animal at the petting zoo, also new this year. Accent Insurance/Pemco is the providing sponsor for the giant inflatable slide and bounce house. Back this year, MK Ballet will perform a beautiful exhibition dance sure to thrill all little ballerina wannabes! As the noon hour approaches listen for the announcement of names as the winners of the annual John Thompson Real Estate Coloring Contest are presented.
The Egg Hunt is free. Other activities can be enjoyed by purchasing a ticket for $1 each or unlimited fun for $5 per child. Residents are encouraged to walk or bike to the event as parking is very limited. The Easter Egg Hunt is open to the greater community so feel free to invite your friends!
Mon 5 Jan 2009
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The rainy weather cleared and the wet pavement made the Christmas lights sparkle twice as bright as the Annual Christmas Festival opened on Sunday, December 7th. Over 1,000 residents from Issaquah Highlands and the greater community enjoyed live music, Santa & Mrs. Claus, horse-drawn wagon rides, fun crafts, and the living Nativity featuring a real 8ft. camel!
The festival was presented by Alathia Community Church and Mosaic Seattle Church together with community sponsors. Alathia and Mosaic wish to thank the many volunteers from both churches as well as Summit Community Church, Trinity Evangelical Church, Highlands Residents, Pacific Cascade Freshmen and Issaquah Middle School students for all their hard work!
The festival committee is also grateful to Highlands Council for its financial support and use of Blakely Hall resources; to The Cascade Team Real Estate Office for providing the Horse Drawn Wagon Rides; to Accent Insurance and Alice’s Beauty Salon for bringing live music to the festival; to Gary & Holly Rainwater for use of their sheep for the Nativity, and for the wonderful support of the IHCA and TC Quality for the amazing holiday lighting and the addition of the beautiful star on the Village Green Christmas tree!
The struggles associated with this year’s recessionary economy have no doubt been shared by many and have taken a toll on families around the country; some more severe than others. Unfortunately, one does not have to look far to find local families in our community that are in desperate need of assistance. This season, members of the Issaquah Highlands Contribution Club (the“IHCC”), an organization dedicated to bringing together the families and individuals of Issaquah Highlands to support the local community in need, provided aid and assistance to 16 families from local churches and the Issaquah Food Bank through an “Adopt a Family” Program.
