Beer, with a side of dunk.
Charity drive raises more than $2k for local mental health services
Amid record heat and ominous valley smoke, locals gathered at this year’s 7th annual Pints in the Plaza event on Saturday at the Alex Thomas Plaza, presented by the Ukiah Main Street Program. Centered among the many beer company pop-ups was the dunk tank charity drive benefiting the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), of Mendocino County. Sponsored by Palma Properties for the second year in a row, the dunk tank offered participants a chance to not only beat the heat, but raise thousands of dollars for much-needed mental health services throughout Mendocino County.
Beer tasting glasses in hand, attendees watched as Sheriff Tom Allman, Ukiah City Councilman Steve Scalmanini, singer/songwriter McKenna Faith and local business owners got dunked for a good cause. As MC of the event, Andrea Reed of Ukiah Massage Co. worked the mic flawlessly while also announcing her candidacy for the Ukiah Valley Sanitation Board.
According to Palma Properties owner and local Realtor David Palma, $2,180 was raised during the event to benefit NAMI, with every dollar staying right here in Mendocino County. “We’re glad to be in a position to give back to the community whenever we can,” said Palma.
Palma Properties received the most dunk requests for wetsuit-clad Scalmanini, although it was Sheriff Tom Allman who brought in the most contributions, noted Palma. Other dunkees included Saucy restaurant owner, Cynthia Ariosta; John Frech and Keith Feign, owners of Black Oak Coffee; Chris Struett and Taylor Pedersen, owners of the Ukiah Brewing Co., as well as David Palma himself.
Inspired by the oppressive heat in the plaza, McKenna Faith surprised the crowd by jumping off stage after her performance to also be dunked. “She said she was hot, so I walked up and asked if we could dunk her and she agreed,” said Palma. Faith posted a video of her dunking on her official Facebook page, writing “Thank you Pints in the Plaza for having me! Glad I got dunked after all. It was a hot one!”
Photos by Kelly Hancock
Palma Properties owner and event sponsor, David Palma kicks off the bidding to dunk Sheriff Tom Allman as local children look on. Newly announced Ukiah Valley Sanitation District Board candidate Andrea Reed MC’s the NAMI Dunk Tank Charity Drive as Sheriff Tom Allman eggs on a would-be dunker. Sheriff Tom Allman waits to be dunked at Saturday’s NAMI Dunk Tank Charity Drive, sponsored by Palma Properites during the 7th annual Pints in the Plaza event put on by the Ukiah Main Street Assoc.
