Land Trust gala raises more than $100,000

The Open Space for Arts & Community on Saturday night was filled with roughly 300 wildly-dressed islanders, who contributed $91,000 to the $106,000 total raised at the Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust’s first fundraising gala.

October 20, 2015 4:12 pm
Locally made desserts
Locally made desserts

By ANNELI FOGT

Editor

The Open Space for Arts & Community on Saturday night was filled with roughly 300 wildly-dressed islanders, who contributed  $91,000 to the $106,000 total raised at the Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust’s first fundraising gala.

The theme of the 25th Anniversary celebration was “Backwoods Black Tie,” and outfits varied from extravagant green and blue nature-themed gowns decked out in feathers, sea animals and reptiles to islanders dressed in true backwoods overalls and galoshes.

By raising their paddles to donate money and participating in a “dessert dash” event where tables donated money to get to the dessert table first, more than $90,000 was raised in less than an hour. When combined with sponsorships, the number grew to $106,000.

“We didn’t really have a goal because we’ve never had an event like this before,” Land Trust Executive Director Tom Dean told The Beachcomber on Monday. “We’re definitely very pleased with it. We never expected to top $100,000, never even dreamed of that.”

Dean said that the funds will go toward multiple projects, including a new community forest initiative, shoreline preservation and restoration projects and the renovation and preservation of the Matsuda Farm.