Helping our friend….

This is a chance to help out – Catherine, Hannah, and Genevieve are planning a fundraiser for a fellow who is simply one of the best teachers around. Friday Harbor High teacher Greg Sawyer makes kids think, he makes kids learn, and makes kids smile while it’s happening – he’s touched hundreds of lives in his time at FHHS, and this is a chance for us to give a bit to him.

Here’s more, from Hannah:

Hello, Everyone,

As you may have already heard Genevieve Iverson, Catherine Bevens, and I are organizing a benefit dinner to help defray medical costs for long-time high school teacher, Greg Sawyer, as he is preparing for a kidney transplant operation. We are hoping that our community can rally to help a friend in need.

The second purpose of the event is to share information and educate people about the importance of being an organ donor on your driver’s license. There will be information available about how to donate blood and become an organ and tissue donor, as well as, an opportunity to hear about real-life experiences from people in our community who have either donated or received a kidney.

This will be geared to all ages and we encourage you to bring your family and invite your friends. Currently there are over 65,000 people in the United States alone who are waiting for a kidney transplant, including about 1,500 of our Northwest neighbors. Kidneys are just one of the many donatable organs that are in need.

Eight years ago my grandmother donated a kidney to my dad, Gordy Waite. Although I was only ten at the time I can still remember vividly how life changing that experience was for everyone involved. The amazing support our family received from our family, friends, and this community helped us get through this experience smoothly. In the last few years I have learned much more about organ donation and how many people rely on you donating blood or simply checking “yes” on your driver’s license. It is a rewarding feeling to know that one blood donation can save up to three lives.

This chance to help Greg Sawyer is my way of giving back a little of what was given to my family in 2001. Here are some ways that you too can help. We are looking for items for a drawing or that can be auctioned at the event. If you have an item or service that you can donate to this cause please call Hannah Waite 298-0579, Genevieve Iverson 378-4653, or Catherine Bevens 378-5023.

Other ways to help out:

o Come to our fundraiser dinner. October 2nd at 5:00 in the High School Dining Hall
o Donate an item for a drawing or to be auctioned
o Buy tickets for a drawing at the dinner
o Donate a ferry ticket or two
o Donate your time to help organize before or during the dinner

Thank you for considering this and supporting a favorite teacher at Friday Harbor High School. See you on October 2nd!!

Sincerely,

Hannah Waite

298-0579, 378-1947 or email hannah.waite (at) hotmail.com (replace the “at” with @!)

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