I entered a fantastic fundraiser for the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies in the fall of 2012 and was blessed with winning the grand prize of a week’s stay in gorgeous Costa Rica. This was donated by Leah and Howard Cloud of Homer. I didn’t expect to win but did and it was the most amazing family vacation we have ever taken. The house, Casa Las Nubes in Tulemar, Manual Antonio, Costa Rica, is outstanding and a commitment to the environment, built with the passion and respect it so deserves. This wonderful couple who would take the time to build such a respectful place and also be involved with an organization like CACS in their other home, Homer, is so inspiring. I am very thankful to have had the opportunity to experience it first hand.

I wanted to also publicly thank the wonderful staff, board members and volunteers at the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies for the opportunity to win this prize in their latest fundraiser.

I was happy to buy a raffle ticket to support this organization since I have visited their facilities at the Peterson Bay Field Station, their yurt on the Spit and the Wynn Nature Center during my frequent visits to Homer.

I taught at a similar, albeit much less permanent, program in the early 1980s, fresh out of college, in the San Francisco Bay Area. It was a yearly struggle with grant writing and budget squeezes to keep it afloat. I experienced repeatedly the stresses involved with keeping a vital program running from year to year.

These environmental programs are vital for our youth. The knowledge of their local environment is so important especially in a pristine area like Kachemak Bay. For who is going to carry the torch in years to come and do it well without the personal mentoring of those before them? We need them to be able to do the same, for the next generation, when their time comes.

I will continue to support this great organization and its vision, in the future and will hope that it succeeds in furthering this great work with all the community support it deserves.

Thank you again, CACS and Leah Cloud for your incredible generosity.