I want to thank everyone involved in making the Lia Kahler and Friends concert and silent auction held at the Chilmark Community Church on Sept. 11, to benefit the Island Clergy emergency fund for the homeless and the Island Food Pantry, so successful. My fellow performers Richard Gordon, Philip Dietterich and Armen Hanjian, along with the full-house audience, provided such a vital part of the give and take between performers and audience that made this a very special performance for me. Also thanks to the Island businesses and individuals who donated items for the silent auction, those who bid at the auction, those who could not attend but donated, and those whose volunteer assistance helped in many ways.

The concert, silent auction and surrounding fundraising grossed $9,500 and cleared $8,000. There is one special experience item from the auction that is still in need of its special bidder: Pony Rides for a party of one to four to children at Woodbe Farm in North Tisbury. We set the value at $125 and the opening bid at $60. Anyone interested can contact me at LiaKahlerandFriends@gmail.com.

I have set a further goal for myself to raise an additional $2,000 before Oct. 15 to make a total of $10,000 for these two Island causes. Checks made out to UMC-MV with either Homeless or Food Pantry in the memo line can be sent to Lia Kahler, P.O. Box 97, Menemsha, MA 02552.

Lia Kahler
Chilmark