PONCHO newsletter

June 2007

We know how busy everyone is these days and how quickly your calendar fills up with vacations, family gatherings and attending community events. To make sure you don't miss a single PONCHO event next season we have made it easy to put us on your calendar and into your plans.

Just click on the calendar links below, then click "open" and "save," and the dates will automatically be added to your calendar.

17th Annual International WINE AUCTION -- Saturday, November 10, 2007 at The Sheraton Seattle Hotel Windows (vCal)Mac (iCal)

7th Annual Invitational Fine ART AUCTION -– Saturday, February 23, 2008 at Bell Harbor International Conference Center Windows (vCal)Mac (iCal)

46th Annual GALA AUCTION –- Saturday, April 12, 2008 at The Westin Seattle Windows (vCal)Mac (iCal)

On June 14, PONCHO held its annual Founders Luncheon to honor the Behnke Family with the PONCHO 2007 Founders Award in recognition of the family’s distinguished contributions to PONCHO and the arts community. The Behnke family members include Mrs. Robert J. (Sally) Behnke; her sons Carl G. Behnke (PONCHO Past President and current board member), his wife Renee Behnke, and his daughters Marisa Behnke (Current PONCHO Board Member) and Merrill Behnke; and John S. Behnke, his wife Shari, and their sons Zane and Drew Behnke.

Nearly 200 guests, including civic and arts community leaders, filled the room at the Sunset Club to celebrate the Behnke family’s contributions to a great number of organizations and causes throughout the Washington State. To underscore their life-long relationship with PONCHO, The Behnke Family has donated the $10,000 that comes with the Founders Award back to PONCHO.

"As you can tell PONCHO means a great deal to our family," said Carl Behnke, speaking for the family. "It's not just because of PONCHO's remarkable 45 years of giving but also because of all the people we have met along the way and now consider close friends, sharing a common love of the arts. It is an incredible honor for our family to receive this award and we could not think of a better organization to give this gift to than PONCHO."

The Founders Award was established in 2001 to recognize the civic leaders who formed PONCHO in 1963 to raise money for the arts. In its 45-year history, PONCHO has given over $33 million to the arts and is credited with being the early catalyst for establishing and sustaining many of Seattle’s world renowned arts organizations.

Past PONCHO Founders Award recipients have been: Paul & Margery Friedlander (2001), Kayla Skinner (2002), Peggy Golberg (2003), the Alhadeff Family (2004), Herman & Faye Sarkowsky (2005), and Robert Arnold (2006).

PONCHO thanks the Encore Media Group for presenting the luncheon.

PONCHO would also like to extend a special thanks to the following donors who have contributed to PONCHO in honor of the Behnke Family: Miller Adams & Dr. Cheryl Roberts, Bob & Tina Alexander, Ellen Bakke, Jimmy & Patty Barrier, Anita Braker & Dave Olsen, George & Beth Briggs, Jerry & Angelina Burtenshaw, Canterbury Consulting, David & Marsha Ederer, Pat Fearey, David & Dorothy Fluke, Peggy Golberg, Max & Helen Gurvich, Kenneth Hart, Stuart & Martyna Mandel, Richard & Patricia Miailovich, Jamie & Karen Moyer, Anita Braker & Dave Olsen, Leigh & Louise Rabel, Herman & Faye Sarkowsky, Alan & Paula Senior, Allen & Kathleen Shoup, Mel & Leena Sturman, Carla Murray & Tom Robinson, Kip Toner, Virginia & Bagley Wright.

If you would like to make a gift in honor of the Behnkes, please click here. As always, to view and purchase photographs from the Founders Luncheon, visit the Team Photogenic website.