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04/22/2007: "Family Umbrella Group's Luncheon & Auction"

( File photo: Full attendance last year on San Juan Island)
You Are Invited To Join In A Celebration Ofthe Family Umbrella Group's 9th Annual Spring Luncheon And Auction

Friday, April 27th at Mullis Community Senior Center
11:00am Silent auction and social hour with classic ragtime tunes
played by David Bayley from his new cd, 'island Time'
12:00pm Gourmet lunch catered by the Market Chef
menu
Freshly baked cafe rolls and butter
"San Juan island salad nicoise"
Key lime pie with freshly whippped cream
coffee - tea
12:30pm live auction with Eugene Cuomo as Master Of Ceremonies
The Family Umbrella Group, a local non-profit 501 (c) 3 Corporation, raises funds for children of island families who need assistance with preschool tuition, hosts an annual Spring Luncheon and Auction fundraiser, coordinates free educational programs on early childhood development and learning and provides a booth at the Children's Festival, with educational information and activities for young children.

For children from low-income families, preschool can help with language, cognitive, social and emotional skills that allow them to catch up with more affluent peers. Providing access to preschool programs is essential to ensuring school readiness and narrowing the achievement gap. Those who start behind, stay behind. Since 1998, The Family Umbrella Group has awarded over 150 scholarships to children who qualify for help.

Because both the island population and cost of living continues to increase, the need for financial donations also increases yearly. This year, The Family Umbrella Group awarded 23 preschool scholarships, but the number of applications this year has soared.

You can help meet the scholarship needs of our young children by supporting The Family Umbrella Group's annual Spring Luncheon and Auction on April 27th at the Mullis Senior Center or by sending a contribution to The Marian Schuster Memorial Scholarship Fund, PO Box 392, Friday Harbor, 98250.

Tickets for the Luncheon and Auction are $30.00, which includes a gourmet lunch catered by The Market Chef. David Bayley will be playing tunes from his new CD, "Island Time" and Eugene Cuomo will be the Master of Ceremonies. For tickets, call Mary Ann Anderson 378-2137 or Florence Harrison 378-5968. 98% of all donations goes directly towards scholarships.