Dear DAHLIA Supporters –

To say we are overwhelmed with your support and generosity would be a mild understatement. Going in to the two GiveBIG days, we had no idea what to anticipate. With the state of the world, we know everyone is struggling in some way and so we had no expectation that many would either be financially or emotionally able to donate. Boy, were we wrong.

When we raced past our first goal of $8,000 by 1:00 on day 1, we were thrilled. That matched what we received in the 2019 GiveBIG campaign and we were grateful. But, we sensed a momentum was building so we decided to try for a stretch goal of $12,000. You all responded and by 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, our stretch goal had been exceeded. Then we asked you to support our nurses – and you did in spades – another $1,700 raised. And, finally we asked you to donate $1,000 to honor our residents. You came through with nearly $1,200. Our preliminary total of the campaign is $14,864! (p.s. they have extended the giving deadline until 5/15 if you haven’t made your donation yet…).
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If you need a reason be inspired during these dark days,  a sign to give you hope that everything is eventually going to be o.k., look no further than the 92 individual donations we received in the midst of a pandemic and economic crisis. This outpouring could not have come at a better time. 2019 was a difficult year for DAHLIA, we lost dear residents, a staff member, family members and in early 2020, our founder Barbara Barger. We’ll say it, we were weary but optimistic for a new decade to begin. Then, the coronavirus outbreak threw us back into turmoil with worry for our staff and residents, a slew of new regulatory guidelines and reporting to adhere to, and concern that our fundraising efforts that we rely on would be severely impacted throughout the year and possibly beyond.

So, friends, you have no idea how much your support over the past two days has meant. While we absolutely love and need the financial support, the emotional boost you have given all of us is off the charts. As we have sat glued to the GiveBIG donation dashboard and seen your names appear over the past two days, we’ve cried, we’ve laughed, we’ve cheered and we’ve been utterly and completely in awe of your generosity.

While we are hopeful that we’ll be able to thank you in person at our auction on October, 10th, we are well aware that group gatherings may not be permitted or advised. We hope to make a decision on whether to move forward early this summer and will let you know as soon as we have information. Likewise, we had planned a memorial get together for Barb this coming July. In light of the outbreak, and given her love of flowers, we have set a new date to remember our dear friend. Please save May 8, 2021 and plan to join us to celebrate a life well lived and loved.

The theme for this year’s GiveBIG campaign was “Now more than ever.” Well, did you ever. And we are forever grateful. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Please stay safe and healthy.

All our best,
Wendy Peloquin, President, Board of Directors
Cheryl Jordan, Executive Director    

The night was a rainy and dark as Gotham City outside on Saturday night in Bellevue, but inside was full of warmth & laughter - and open wallets! Here's our photo gallery!

We wouldn't be so super without you!

Do your arm exercises and get ready to raise your paddle high and often at our live auction on Saturday!