Please join us for the 10th annual Cape and Islands United Way "Best Night of the Year" (TM) at Willowbend Country Club in Mashpee on Sunday, June 29, 2008. This year's event will feature the usual array of top shelf restaurants and wine purveyors, along with a great silent and live auction. Also expect some surprises throughout the evening leading up to the best fireworks display ever. Shown is this year's Elizabeth Mumford original for the live auction.

As many of you know by now, Richard Brothers will not be "walking off into the sunset" at the end of this year. And make no mistake, we are all the better that is the case. As President of the Cape and Islands United Way, Rich has presided over 10 years of significant growth and success in fund-raising, community impact and general goodwill and good times. As the year progresses we will be honoring Rich's 10 years of achievements with limited edition Vineyard Vines "Sand Dollar" ties which bear the embroidered inscription of "RB 2008 In honor of 10 years service to the community". Available in blue and raspberry, these "collector's items" can be purchased by calling the Cape and Islands United Way office at (508) 775-4746. Please join me by wearing a Sand Dollar tie and honoring Rich Brothers.

As a business owner with a philanthropic bent here on our friendly and familiar peninsula, like many of you, I receive numerous calls from various organizations looking for my "support". And my answer to those mostly worthy solicitations is concise and consistent, "I do my philanthropy through the Cape and Islands United Way." I am the Cape and Islands United Way because it is the most comprehensive non-governmental human services needs funder on Cape Cod and the islands. The positive community impact that my contributions can make directly reach the most vulnerable among us including children and families, seniors and the infirm, and often those that as Rich Brothers likes to say are experiencing the "speed bumps of life." I am the Cape and Islands United Way; and I am proud and honored to be a small part of its critical work and achievements. Please contact me personally at (508) 790--2001, ext 10 for more information on how you can "become the Cape and Islands United Way" too.

This night will be an extraordinary wine tasting and dining experience. Philippe Magrez of Bernard Magrez Grand Vignobles, owners of Chateau Pape Clement in Bordeaux, France will be on-hand to share his vintners family knowledge and history while sampling some of the finest wine's from the premier wine-making region in the world. This evening, graciously hosted and catered by the Maas Family, will feature the release of two special private label Orleans Waterfront Inn wines available for purchase with $6.00 from each case purchased to benefit the Cape and Islands United Way. For more information on this fantastic evening and to purchase tickets, please contact the Cape and Islands United Way at (508) 775-4746.

An Orleans Auto Supply sponsored team rolled away with the winners title at the recent "Roll the Rock" bowling tournament run by Cape Cod Charitable Funraisers. But the big winner was the Cape and Island United Way as the "High Energy Ignition" team raised $3500 for our organization. Many thanks to Bill Murphy of Cape Cod Charitable Funraisers, Orleans Auto Supply and the "High Energy Ignition" bowlers. Shown from left to right: Jeff Eaton, Dick Fairbanks, Rick Denton, Steve Currey and Gary Carreiro.