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> Issue 9: October 2004 > Volunteer Spotlight:
Gala Benefit Committee – Linda Velasco, Marcie Halfmann, Gina Thomas
Volunteer Spotlight
Gala Benefit Committee – Linda Velasco, Marcie Halfmann, Gina Thomas
This year MAARS celebrates its fifth birthday —
a milestone for the organization and an accomplishment for the Volunteer
Staff who have made it possible. This month we would like to recognize
Linda Velasco, Marcie Halfmann, and Gina Thomas of the Gala
Benefit Committee — individuals who gone above and beyond
to make this annual autumn fundraising event a success!
Linda Velasco
Linda is a veteran of the Silent Auction/Gala
Benefit Committee, having served as a key member every year since
its creation. Her willingness to serve and ability to lead have made
her invaluable to MAARS. Over the months preceding each event, Linda
has diligently worked to procure contributions and items for the auctions,
to make the necessary arrangements with the facilities that host the
event, and to generate publicity that ensure successful fundraising
for MAARS. This involves a tremendous amount of time, a sacrifice that
Linda has made over and over to support MAARS in its mission.
Marcie Halfmann
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it is Super Marcie!
This incredible, fun-loving woman has been providing care for the MAARS
flock for five years. Her sense of humor and nurturing instincts are
a delightful addition to any shift that she volunteers
on at The Landing. Marcie
is always looking for a way she can help out, and the flock at MAARS
benefits greatly from her presence. She has served on every Silent Auction/Gala
Benefit Committee since MAARS began, creating gorgeous centerpieces
and decorations and soliciting multitudes of auction items, always with
a smile on her face and a cheerful disposition. There are no cloudy
days when Marcie is around.
Gina Thomas
This is Gina's first year on the Gala
Benefit Committee, yet that is not evident. After volunteering with
her daughter, Ally, on the Friday morning shift for nearly a year, she
was approached to undertake this important event. Gina has stepped into
her position with ease. Her background with high-end cosmetic companies
and her personal experiences with fundraising have combined beautifully.
This year's Gala Benefit
will offer the highest number and quality of auction items ever seen.
This working mother of one daughter and two birdies (adopted from MAARS)
is one amazing lady.
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