February 6, 2017 at 3:52 p.m.
Community continues to support NATH
Community continues to support NATH
By Kayla Thomason-
"I think the neat thing about this year that I've noticed is a lot of new faces," said Tammy Modic, executive director of NATH/Frederick Place.
Jane Sharkey has attended the dinner every year it has been held. She also volunteers for NATH when she can, driving Frederick Place residents to their appointments and catering some of the meals.
"I think that a lot of people don't know homelessness is a problem in the Northwoods and NATH and Frederick Place has taken care of (a lot of) people over the last six years. It's definitely a need and this is one way we can support it and have fun at the same time," she said.
Sharkey loves the live auction and had her eye on a handsome grandfather clock.
"They use (the proceeds from the dinner) to run the house during the year," Sharkey said. "They have to raise a considerable part of their annual budget and this is one of the fundraisers - I think this is probably one of the major fundraisers - it helps them keep the house going and open."
"It's a wonderful event. NATH really serves a great need in our community so it's fun to come out and support it," she added.
Ashley Lundberg, an employee at Park City Credit Union, has attended the dinner the last two years.
"I think it's amazing," Lundberg said of the event, adding that it's wonderful that the proceeds go to NATH.
She likes the dessert run and had her eye on a raspberry torte.
"I think it's just a really great event in all aspects, the proceeds, being able to come to it, everybody getting together, the food, the people, the mingling," she said.
This is the third year Jean Yeater has attended the dinner.
"I like it, I think it's a nice event to go to," she said. "I think it's awesome (that proceeds go to NATH). It's inspired me to be more active with the NATH program."
Yeater is in the business management program at Nicolet and in the Service Learning class they will be holding a fundraiser for NATH's transportation vouchers.
Yeater and her husband donated a snowplow basket for the auction, but for herself she had her eye on the champagne selection.
This year's event had nine full-table sponsors and two half-table sponsors, the most they've ever had.
In its six years of operation, NATH has had 545 unduplicated individuals call Frederick Place home, with an average of 100-125 people a year. In that time they have had over 30,000 shelter nights.
"Each night there is someone there we get one shelter night so last night there were 14 so we got 14 shelter nights," Modic said.
Since its founding, Frederick Place has never been empty.
The shelter has an operating budget of just under $240,000 this year, which equates to $43.25 per person per day. The NATH dinner generates an average of $10,000 proceeds and Modic is so thankful that the community continues to support the organization and its goals.
Modic would like to send a special 'thank you' to Kohl's because Kohl's Care A Team attended and volunteered, allowing NATH board members and volunteers to mingle and work.
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
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