Share the Dream Celebration 2011 Photos


James Sharp opens the evening with beautiful guitar music while guests bid at the Silent Auction and enjoy hors d'oeuvres from Greek cuisine.	Board President Helen Sweatt welcomes guests.	Mistress of Ceremonies Yolanda Fernandez shares that her family immigrated from Cuba, and how vital it was that Americans welcomed them and helped them succeed in their new home.	Rev. John Powers gives the Invocation.	Ally Halchak sings Mein Herr Marquis (The Laughing Song) by Johann Strauss.


Santiago, one of the winners of the "Why I Like P.A.S.S." essay contest, attended the celebration with his mother.	Viridiana, another winner of the "Why I Like P.A.S.S." essay contest, also enjoyed the celebration with her mother.	Students from the VPK class at the Children of the World Preschool perform "This Land is Your Land" complete with costumes and dance moves.	The children leave the stage singing "It's a Small World" and march around the room to the guests' delight.

Yolanda Fernandez congratulates Rev. Gene Watson and Rev. Lois Rogers-Watson on their recognition as Outstanding Volunteers for the many ways they support the programs of Cooperative Ministries.	Also honored for their role as Team Leaders for the Pack-A-Sack 4 Kids Program were Mary Ann and Joe Brito.	Betsy Kenas was recognized for the outstanding work she does as a Cooperative Ministries Ambassador and P.A.S.S. Tutorial Program volunteer. Her husband Jon joined her for the evening.	Yolanda is joined by Pamela Qualls, Cooperative Ministries' Executive Director, in honoring Marion Lucciola for her many years of service to the Board of Directors.

Cris Wolfe received recognition for the many hours of work she does as a site coordinator for the Families Learning Together Program.	Friends and relatives came from near and far to celebrate with the honorees. Here, Gene and Lois are surprised and thrilled to see their daughters who flew in for the occasion.	Guests browsed the silent auction, and the competition became fierce for some of the most sought-after items. In all, $4500 was bid, and the victors happily claimed their prizes.	Dinner was wonderful. Guests started with a Tropical salad, then enjoyed Asian Stir-fry, and African Beef Stew from the buffet. French sampler desserts were a fitting finale to the meal.



It was wonderful to celebrate with friends, both those of long-standing and those newly made. We all had a fabulous time and can't wait to do it again next year!