Dressed in pearls, culinary uniforms and berets, 160 people filled the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center in Discovery Park Friday to get a taste of the Julia Child inspired cuisine featured at the annual fundraiser for the Washington state chapter of the American Parkinson's Disease Association.
The event, hosted by Suzanne Cameron, co-president of the chapter, has raised nearly $200,000 in 10 years to fight Parkinson's Disease. She got involved after her husband, Chris, was diagnosed with the disease.
"All the money stays in Washington for research," said Cameron, who lives in Magnolia. Her first fundraiser was held in a home she owns in Magnolia and which drew about 40 friends and family. And at each event there's a dress code/culinary theme: Greek, Caribbean, Mexican and pirate, have all been done. This year was Julia Child and French fare. Seven stations featured the famous chef's recipes such as Boeuf Bourguignon, a taste-bud tantalizing stew with potatoes and pearl onions. Several women among the 160 guests wore pearls while many men wore berets. Some went even further and dressed the part of Child in her culinary uniform and spoke with her whimsical style, among them, Cameron's friend Sharon Griggens. Cameron catered the entire event and her husband, Chris Jewell, as per usual, provided a keg of homemade beer.
According to Julie Reese, Suzanne Cameron's next-door neighbor and long-time friend, Cameron and Jewell are a dynamic and giving couple. Reese said Cameron, if she's not cooking or fundraising or making quilts for friends having babies she's donating extra produce from her farmshare supply.
"You can't stop her," Reese said.
On Nov. 7, the Washington chapter of the APDA and the Northwest Parkinson's Foundation are co-hosting the area's largest educational symposium for patients, families and caregivers for those with Parkinson's. The event will feature an update on the latest research, alternative medicine, theories on living well with Parkinson's. Jewell, by the way, continues to lead a very active lifestyle. Each year he participates in the Seattle-to-Portland bicycle event. The symposium takes place from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 7 at the Hilton, Seattle Airport & Conference Center. For more information visit www.waparkinsons.org.
Last May, the APDA held an auction at the Madison Renaissance Hotel in Seattle which raised more than $100,000.[[In-content Ad]]
