Whole Washington Gala Amasses Huge Support for Universal Healthcare

Whole Washington hosted their first philanthropy event to raise money and support toward universal health care. Many health professionals and volunteers joined recognizable political and nonprofit community leaders at The Historic Mt. Baker Community Center on May 17. 

In full gala fashion, entertainment was provided throughout the programming which included a string duo of Collin Stackhouse and Rosie O’neal playing a medley of folk tunes during the silent auction. 

Auction items stretched across the length of the room: a detailed patchwork quilt, paintings from various local visual artists, autographed books from celebrity chefs, and more. There were an undeniably wide variety of locally sourced items throughout the auction table—and it all sold.

Detail of a quilt up for auction at the gala

The Evergreen Echo

The auction utilized an app and cranked heads down, turning eyes onto their phones to place bid after bid before the quick silent auction timed out. 

After the jolting silent auction, emcee Sailor St. Claire of The Showgirl Scholar, led the snappy live auction. The experience was neck breaking, flicking eyes from end to end of the room. Number after number flew up into the air to claim high-ticket items like autographed sports memorabilia, fancy cigars, and a lunch with a State Senator; they were all big hits.

In the middle of programming, the audience got involved in an improv show that caused undeniable cackles and snorts, and the audience played along so well. 

Speeches from dignitaries, Senators Manka Dhingra and Bob Hasegawa, became some of the most memorable moments through the gala. Senator Bob Hasegawa is the primary sponsor of the WA Health Trust who presented and shared the importance and effects of healthcare, or a lack thereof. Stories close to heart fluttered the audience with empathy for some of Washington’s lowliest peoples. 

Aside from the fun and laughter of the event, the speeches made a joyful introduction and heartfelt reminder of the reason so many people gathered on a random day: enable universal healthcare for everyone. 

The successful event raised generously above their goal of $20,000, mostly from auction item tickets. 

Live auction in action with attendees

The Evergreen Echo

Whole Washington is a volunteer-led movement united by the dream of an equitable and universal healthcare system for Washington and onward throughout the United States. They aim to break down financial barriers for Washingtonians so that exceptional care can be provided to all people.

Universal health care has been a floated idea across the US amidst gaining peer countries and has been gaining momentum in support. In a political climate of uncertainty and conflict, while the Affordable Care Act (ACA) introduced health care access to over 45 million people, simply put, that is not enough. 

Andre Stackhouse, Executive Director of Whole Washington, delivered a memorable speech of the efforts and strides Whole Washington has made on their first ever gala for universal healthcare. He spoke of the importance of the grassroots organizing work and the impact it has made thus far. 

Andre Stackhouse speaking at the gala

The Evergreen Echo

Whole Washington is expected to gain large growth and strides in the upcoming months until their next philanthropy cycle. They surely have met resistance and adversity in their cause. Stackhouse says, “With your support we can build a healthcare system that puts patients over profits and ensures our tax dollars go towards the care of all people.”

If you are a person, you deserve adequate healthcare. Whole Washington’s goal for universal healthcare is ambitious but not impossible. The growing support for more socialist infrastructure like universal healthcare is met with resistance and is at risk. Support is needed now more than ever to get the job done, and Whole Washington implores action.

Thank you, Whole Washington, for the amazing gala and your continued solidarity with our state’s people.