STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK
Colorful ribbons of yellow and purple hung from the trees at Ketchum’s Memory Park Friday evening next to the equally colorful flowers there.
Representatives of The Advocates were colored pink—tickled pink—as they announced that their Color Our World fundraiser had met their goal of $340,000 and exceeded it by another $30,000.
This year’s campaign netted 250 donors signified by 185 colored ribbons—that’s an increase over last year’s. And The Advocates sold about 500 raffle tickets, good for such prizes as a week’s stay in Nuevo Puerto Vallarta and a season ski pass donated by Sun Valley Resort.
“Plus, we had double the sponsors this year so that 100 percent of the donations can go to services,” said Shannon Nichols, director of development for The Advocates.
The Advocates threw a Summer Social complete hors d’oeuvres and rainbow-colored popsicles, which delighted even the older people who turned out for the occasion.
“It’s a great organization. As a Community School teacher, I get to see the programs they do with the kids to prevent bullying,” said Connor Wade. “And they do a lot to address domestic abuse, as well.”
Color Our World was initiated in 2020 when The Advocates could not hold their Black & White Soiree gala dinner and live auction fundraiser because of the coronavirus pandemic. They may bring the soiree back in some fashion, said Nichols. But they probably will continue to offer an event like Color Our World that sports a less expensive ticket more accessible to everyone.
The money raised from Color Our World will help fund The Advocates’ 24-hour Helpline and crisis shelter, sexual assault services, support groups, money management and jobs program, legal services, transitional housing and bystander intervention program.
“We were happy to see the generosity out there during the pandemic. We’ve been very fortunate to get funding to help others,” said Tricia Swartling, The Advocates executive director.
The Advocates have managed to stay open throughout the pandemic without any COVID outbreaks among staff or shelter residents.
“Everyone on the staff is vaccinated and we’re encouraging others to get vaccinated, as well,” said Swartling.
The organization has provided five times the rent assistance they normally do during the past year. Between 20 and 30 people are on their current wait list for housing.
And Swartling said The Advocates hope to build workforce housing on two lots next to their other buildings since several staff members had their homes sold out from under them during the current real estate frenzy.