LYNNWOOD, Wash., April 17, 2024—Support 7 held its 3rd annual reception and auction at Community Life Center in Lynnwood on Saturday, April 13 hosted by former Lynnwood City Councilwoman, and current Support 7 Executive Director, Shannon Sessions.
The annual fundraising event consisted of a silent auction, hearty appetizers, guest speakers, fundraising activities and an award ceremony, a live auction, a dessert dash, and ending in a panel discussion to conclude the evening.
The $100,000 in funds is to offset operational expenditures for the nonprofit that assists public safety agencies to effectively care for victims in need during events of trauma, directly partnering with South Snohomish County first responders.
Support 7 partners with local first responders and assists them as well as victims in moments of crisis such as unexpected natural deaths, death by suicide, homicide and other fatalities. It provides individuals a private place with water and snacks where they can step away from the crisis, onlookers, and potential media they may not want to deal with at the moment. Support 7 also provides a connection to other resources like grief counselors, funeral services, medical examiner office, etc.
The organization also responds with its mobile unit to care for displaced victims’ & families from house and commercial fires, SWAT callouts, and vehicle collisions involving pedestrians.
The Support 7 also has a mobile dispatch team of emergency-trained volunteers to respond on-scene, in a van converted into a temporary private shelter, providing victims with an immediate space offering connection to resources and support.
“Support 7 is a great organization. A former council member is now the Executive Director and we’re just here to do whatever we can to support Shannon,” said Lynnwood Council President George Hurst.
The evening commenced with a few words by Sessions before she introduced Cindi Sinnema who she first met many years ago on the response team of Behind the Badge Foundation. Cinema is also a longtime chaplain and director of the Grief Companion Project which Support 7 directly collaborates with and has worked with grief and trauma for many years.
Accompanying Cinema was Lynnwood Police Chief Cole Langdon and Michael Chong, the event’s auctioneer,
“I support Support 7. They are very aware of how diverse Snohomish County is and they are very intentional in all the support that they give,” Lynnwood Council Vice President Julieta Altamirano-Crosby told the Lynnwood Times. “There are a lot of community members in Snohomish County that they serve even those who are not not Native English speakers.”
During the award ceremony Josi Jones received the 2024 Good Samaritan Award.
“At one point the Lord pointed out to me that I like to talk to people and I like to listen to people, it’s just all the glory goes to the Lord for him using those things in my life,” said award recipient Josi Jones. “Thank you guys for honoring me and I’m humbled by the work the Lord allows me to do.”
Each ticket sold for Support 7’s annual fundraising reception included entry, hearty appetizers provided by Shooby Doo Catering, a chance to bid on amazing items at the Silent Auction, and a seat for the main event. After the event concluded, patrons could continue the fun and the giving by going out to dinner at Todo Mexico or Moonshine BBQ in Lynnwood who agreed to graciously give back a portion back to the nonprofit.
The first Support 7 annual fundraising dinner took place at Westgate Chapel in Edmonds in October of 2019 and had approximately 300 guests.
Author: Kienan Briscoe
