Because so many of you generously shared your time with us and with each other, our community picnic on July 11, 2026, was again a winner. Thank you to all who came, volunteered to help set up and clean up, shared their treats, and welcomed friends, old and new.

Volunteers arrived early to set up. Extra thanks to Glenda and Dave Philio, for planning, organizing, printing, shopping, carrying, lifting, and setting up, including our improvised cooling table.

Everyone enjoyed hot dogs, chips, salads, and a ton of special desserts, including cake and cobbler. Thank you to our longtime grillmaster, Rick Faunt.

We had lots of time to chat and connect with friends. Renton Support Group folks not only attended, but also brought along friends and family.

We were able to try hearing assistive technology, including a hearing loop graciously provided by Spencer Norby. We also thank Michael Fox from ODHH and HLAA-WA Board Member Heidi Crabtree for demonstrating our new captioning tablet system. This system doesn’t require an internet connection but will live-caption conversations and speech. Stay tuned for more information as we learn about it.

We also had a raffle with over a dozen prizes—all organized by Sandy Bunning, of course.

Speaking of Sandy, longtime HLAA-WA board member Sandy Bunning was presented with the HLAA-WA Heart of Service award. As Cheri Perazzoli mentioned as she gave the award, Sandy has been a friend to everyone with hearing loss ever since she joined HLAA–which was then called Self-Help for Hard of Hearing People–in 1997. While Sandy has won many awards and even had dinner with legendary HLAA founder Rocky Stone, we think Sandy’s superpower is connecting and empowering people with hearing loss in the spirit of friendship and service.

Finally, a huge thank you to Kevin Pieczynski, who kindly provided the outstanding professional photos for the day.

What did you like best about the picnic? Do you have ideas for social events like this one? Email us: webmaster@hearingloss-wa.org.