To the Editor:

GardenShare's annual fundraising dinner and auction was held on June 6, 2017 and was a record-setting event for the organization.

The combination of business sponsorships, ticket sales, a silent auction, and a drawing netted a total of $9,718 to support GardenShare’s anti-hunger and local food work in St. Lawrence County. This is a new record amount for this eighth annual event. For comparison, last year’s event raised $5,783.

All of us at GardenShare are so grateful to everyone who helped make this event so successful!

Presenting sponsors who helped make this event possible included St. Lawrence Health System, North Country Savings Bank, and Stauffer Farms. Other sponsors included Frazer Computing and Green Hammer Construction. Thank you all!

Thank you to Jake’s on the Water for hosting this event. The sell-out crowd of 102 was a challenge for the restaurant, but they came through with flying colors. The menu was phenomenal in its creative and tasty use of locally grown food and the service impeccable.

The amazing volunteer committee that pulled together the auction at this event demonstrated the difference that a small group of people can make. All of the local farms, individuals, and businesses who donated items for the auction made this event’s success possible and proved their commitment to fighting hunger in the region.

Thank you to all those who donated items for the auction, including the following businesses: Adirondack Fragrance Farm, Big Spoon Kitchen, Boutique Air, Canton Fire Department, Cape Air, Circle G Farm, Coakley’s ACE Hardware, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Glow Skincare and Spa, Harmony Farm, Jernabi, Nature’s Storehouse, Nest Egg Bed and Breakfast, Partridge Run Golf and Country Club, Potsdam Food Co-op, St. Lawrence University Fitness Center, SLU Hockey, Squeak Creek Apiaries, SUNY Canton Fitness Center, Sweetcore Farm, and Valerie Summer Therapeutic Massage.

GardenShare greatly appreciates the support of a number of individuals who donated items to the auction, as well, including: Chuck Bolesh, Freda Bradt, Mary Ellen and Charlie Carvel, Kathy and Mike Crowe, Kathy Curro, Jo DenBleyker, Kelsey Deso, Kyle Flanagan, Judy Gibson, Cheryl Glidden, Margaret Harloe, Knute and Sue Hayden, Tom and Carol Pynchon, and Mike Seymour.

The event was made even more special by Never Tire Farm, who donated basil and tomato plants to decorate the tables and for guests to take home at the end of the evening.

Funds raised will support GardenShare's work to solve the problem of hunger in St. Lawrence County. GardenShare's annual Local Food Guide, farmers market promotion, and promotion of Community Supported Agriculture help ensure that the County has a vibrant, local food system where our food choices are healthy for us, for our communities, and for the environment, and where local farmers are able to make a living that supports their families.

GardenShare also makes it possible for people to use food stamps at area Farmers Markets and helps low-income families buy CSA shares so that everyone in the County has access to enough nutritious and affordable food to sustain a healthy lifestyle.

Gloria J. McAdam

GardenShare, executive director