By Shaun Scott, Puyallup Tribal News
More than 100 individuals throughout the Tribal community gathered together for two great causes at the Valentine’s Day Masquerade Ball on Feb. 15 at the Little Wild Wolves Youth Center in Fife.
The event featured a two-fold fundraiser. One fundraiser, which was created by the Reentry/Community Family Services program, focused on raising funds to support individuals who live in the Oxford Houses. These homes are shared residences where people battling addiction live together and support each other during the recovery process. Another event was organized to raise funds for Puyallup Tribal Member Alma Earl-Murphy, who is battling stage four cancer.
The Valentine’s Day extravaganza featured an Indian taco dinner, photo booth, DJ, multiple raffles, bake sales (cookies, cupcakes), T-shirts and an assortment of items for sale.
Puyallup Tribal Council Vice Chairwoman Sylvia Miller arrived on site four hours before the festivities kicked off to help prepare a massive dinner spread of Indian tacos and frybread. She was proud to support both events throughout the evening.
“Anytime we have events like this, it is so important to show support no matter what,” Miller said. “I’m here doing a fundraiser for a stage four cancer individual, Alma Murphy. These individuals (Oxford Houses residents) have had struggles not because they want to, but because they’ve had hard lives. Helping those with addiction is something that we always want to support and show a lot of effort to try to do whatever we can and do whatever is needed for these people.”
Councilwoman Monica Miller was thrilled to see a large number of community members in attendance having a great time.
“It is really nice to have events like this here for the community,” she said. “Not only do people have the chance to get together with friends, they are getting their groove on right now on the dance floor. We’re all out here for a good cause and are here to enjoy ourselves and mingle with everybody.”
Councilman James Rideout, who helped clean the kitchen as the event winded down late in the evening, said he was proud of the work the Reentry program is doing.
“Reentry is a program that is working. I’m just in utmost awe of the work they’re doing. It is tremendous to see,” Rideout said.
The cancer fundraiser portion of the event is something Rideout relates to.
“Being a cancer patient myself (in the past), I know what that means. I explained to the cancer patient that I am going to tell everybody because it’s the power of people and the power of prayer that heals you,” Rideout said. “It is important that everybody who wants to support, that you give them a chance to support. Hosting both of these events tonight was just wonderful and it means a lot.”
Outreach Coordinator/Peer Specialist for the Reentry/Community Family Services program Hannah Sibbits is grateful for the Oxford houses and knows firsthand how important the program is.
“I am an alumnus of Oxford. I honestly wouldn’t be where I am at in my recovery if it wasn’t for Oxford House,” Sibbits said. “It feels really good to be able to give back to that community. It also feels really good to help another Tribal Member in her battle with cancer. I know that fighting cancer for the person themselves, and the family members trying to support them, is not an easy thing to do. Just doing every little thing we can to help out means a lot.”
