Through sheer luck we were found by Terrance Shaw, the Director of the Olympia Choral Society, a local nonprofit which every year chooses a new charity as beneficiary of its Christmas concert. Usually the group selects a charity of which the focus is children. We are very fortunate and honored to hold this esteemed position and thank the members of this wonderful organization for their efforts.

Performances feature The Olympia Youth Chorus at the North Thurston Performing Arts Center and admission is free of charge, though donations are graciously accepted in order to benefit the chosen charity. Performances run Friday and Saturday, Dec. 9th and 10th from 7:30 PM and Sunday, Dec. 11th, from 2:00 PM. For further information please call 360- 705-6462 or visit their web site at www.OlympiaChoral.org

We have experienced a number of very interesting meetings in the past few months and have many more exciting topics and presenters! As part of our Community Outreach Program, we have acquired certification to use TCTV's video equipment to tape our presenters and air their wisdom on local public access television, which reaches over 40,000 viewers in Thurston County. Here just a taste of the informative topics and great networking.

August - My Voice Counts!
We spoke with a Legislative Advocate who shared best practices for interation with Legislators and ways to convey your message effectively.

September - Picnic at Schmidt House
As a thank you to our families we hosted a picnic at the historic Schmidt House in Tumwater, brought in Quiznos sandwiches and hosted an art session with Tammy's Ceramics onsite.

October - Special Education Law
Local Special Education Attorney Mary McKnew shared legal changes in IDEA law and made suggestions for questions posed by parents.

November - Nutrition and Your Child's Mental Health
The importance of hydration as well as fatty acids and organic foods was stressed, especially during this feasting season.

December - Break!
Many members stated a meeting in December would be too much to handle due to the holidays so we are not holding a formal meeting. We may informally grab lunch or coffee per members' preferences.

January 2006 - Autism & Asperger Syndrome: Cutting Edge Knowledge
Liliane Bartha, MD, of Olympia Health Renewal has attended many Autism-focused conferences in the past 6 months and will share her knowledge with us, including breaking findings in the scientific community!

February 2006 - Homeopathy
Patricia Kay, Classical Homeopath, shares her work with children as well as knowledge focusing on disabled children's issues.

March 2006 - CranioSacral Therapy
Joanne Rikimaru provides us with a hands-on demo of this form of bodywork

Months thereafter are currently being planned to include advocacy, neurodevelopmental yoga and possibly martial arts. Let us know what you would like to know and we'll do our best to acommodate!

We'd like to share one thing that is blatantly obvious for those in the nonprofit community: it is VERY difficult to be a nonprofit in this time of never-ending natural disasters and human strife. "Donor Fatigue" is the new buzz word circling the administrative offices of many well-deserving charities, most of which attempt to get their message across by staffing information tables at events such as the Combined Fund Drive focused on WA State employees. During the period of September through November, The Wyatt Holliday Foundation established a presence at the following:

* Combined Fund Drive: Olympia and Tumwater
* Combined Federal Campaign: Seattle and Keyport
* Autism Walk by "CAN-Cure Autism Now!": Seattle
* Special Services Resource Fair: Olympia
* Our Annual Golf Tournament: Tumwater

In addition, we were featured on TCTV Thurston County Public Access Television as Mission Nonprofit during the months of July and August. Now we are blessed with the opportunity to spread the word on Comcast's Digital Local Channel starting December 15th, which reaches over one million Comcast subscribers in Western Washington State.

Just recently we acquired the ability for our supporters to actively fundraise with little effort online and be able to accept credit cards - one major step to enabling those who at the moment do not have enough cash available to help a cause they deem worthy of their immediate support. To start your efforts go to

Technically challenged? We can create the web page for you - just call 360-507-0944.

We truly hope our efforts make a difference in public awareness, not only monetarily but also in families knowing there is help.

RESULTS: A total of $3,896 were raised in this 32-participant event! All had a great time and promised to return next year. We've already made reservations for next year: Saturday, Sept. 9th, 2006 with a tee time of 1 PM at the Woodlands Course at Hawks Prairie in Lacey. We had initially chosen the Olympia Country Club, however our only viable choice of a date was immediately after aeration of the green, which is not very conducive to a great game.

Formerly donned "Meriwood", the Woodlands course is a PGA-rated 18-hole course which came highly recommended from several sources. We were required to guarantee a minimum of 48 players this time around so please mark your calendars tell your golf-loving friends their presence is needed!

Please inquire about sponsorship opportunities as well as our new Ambassador Program which allows fundraisers to play in the 2006 tournament for free with a minimum of $250 donations.

Many thanks again to all who supported us in this very first golf tournament!