Thank you for a great Fall Party! Extra thanks to our volunteers, and to supporter Ed Kosmicki for taking some GREAT photos…see below!
Thursday night was a walk through time. We found it informative, exciting and yes, INSPIRING! Even though we were the ones planning most of the event, we were still SO blown away by the thoughtful stories of supporters who have been involved with HEAL for years, and those who are new, motivated members of our community. We were humbled by the words of our board co-chairs, Bob and Mary Ellen. And of course we were thrilled to hear about HEAL’s past from co-founder Chip Ward, and to be energized by the insight of our future Executive Director.
So have you heard? Or maybe you got to meet him? Drum roll please! HEAL Utah’s next Executive Director is Dr. Scott Williams! Scott hails from the public health sphere, including holding senior positions at the Utah Dept. of Health during the 2002 Winter Olympics. He has extensive leadership experience, and brings a wealth of knowledge in policy and adminstration here in Utah. There is far too much to say about Scott here, so keep an eye out for an official introduction soon!
If you were there to join us, we hope you got to meet Scott, or at least were invigorated by his heartfelt words. We want you to share in our excitement for the next phase of HEAL’s development as an organization.
Even if you weren’t able to be there, you can still contribute to the success of the Fall Party! Our amazing current board, along with past staff and board members, and sponsors, including the Kanter Family Foundation, put together a remarkable $22,000 matching grant. We are VERY close to meeting this match, so please consider making a donation online TODAY!
We enjoyed delicious food from Mazza, tasty beer from Kiitos, eclairs from Food for Thought and outstanding service from the Pierpont Place staff. We were honored to be joined by representatives from our event sponsors, KÜHL Clothing, Patagonia and Sentry Financial.
Our staff also briefed us on their campaigns that your enthusiasm, dedication, and donations support:
Jessica Reimer, HEAL’s Policy Associate, gave updates about the air quality and nuclear waste campaigns she has quickly become immersed in during her first 6 months at HEAL. Our work defending Utah against nuclear waste is picking up again, as EnergySolutions gets ready to submit to the State a revised plan to store depleted uranium in the West Desert. Meanwhile, we have been at the table with the Division of Air Quality, bringing well-researched recommendations for the Serious State Implementation Plan that will help to clean up particulate matter air pollution. In both cases, your voice has been and will be essential to making a difference.
Michael Shea, HEAL’s Senior Policy Associate, recounted the year-long rooftop solar battle HEAL engaged in with Utah’s largest utility, Rocky Mountain Power. A main take away from Michael was that, despite the money HEAL invested in lawyers, consultants, and time spent at the negotiating table, it was ultimately HEAL’s grassroots efforts which helped win the day. That means YOU!
Whether you give us your time, give money, or both, we thank you. Thank you for helping us get to where we are now.
To quote Mary Ellen: “I thank you for digging deeper and giving more. I believe in HEAL, and I know you do too. I ask you to join me in giving again to help us be stronger and more influential than ever.”
With our deep, deep appreciation,
The HEAL Staff
Hannah, Jessica, Laura, Michael, Noah (and Scott…very soon!)