Myra Lupton and Island Business Owners Recognized at MIYFS Fundraiser

Mercer Island Youth and Family Services recognized several people with their MIYFS Community Philanthropy Awards, issued during the Giving From the Heart fundraising breakfast Wednesday morning.

Longtime volunteer Myra Lupton, orthodontist David Weed and Tatters owner Michele Tessler were honored for their service to the community and for their dedication to Mercer Island Youth and Family Services. 

Mercer Island Youth and Family Services offered the following information on the award winners.

• Individual Award –
  David Weed has been a consistent donor to Youth and Family Services for close to 10 years.  He has sponsored the ‘Giving From the Heart’ breakfast, pledges on a monthly basis and is a merchant for the glass art sales at Valentines and in the autumn. Last year, Weed organized Mercer Island dentists to provide pro bono dental care on a rotational basis to low-income clients with no dental insurance.  Prior to this service, low-income Island adults were faced with dental extraction when they could not afford even the co-pay at a dental clinic. This year several unemployed and low-income residents received filings, root canals and a partial denture repair due to the compassion, organization and commitment of David Weed. 

• Business Award – Michele Tessler, Owner of Tatters
  Michele Tessler of Tatters is generous to philanthropies and organizations on and off the Island. But she has a special place in her heart for MIYFS and shows that to us consistently, year after year. Tessler has donated a portion of her proceeds in December to MIYFS. In addition, three years ago, she was one of the first businesses to come on board to kick off the Giving from the Heart Shopping and Dining Program, and gave 20 percent of her proceeds the day of the breakfast to MIYFS. She was key in refining the effectiveness of the program and in convincing others to participate.

• Outstanding Ambassador Award – Myra Lupton
  The Outstanding MIYFS Ambassador Award went to Myra Lupton. Lupton's involvement in the community, at all levels, is remarkable. She is exemplifies what it means to be a community volunteer and Island resident. Along with being a generous contributor, Lupton has served on the MIYFS Board and has been on all eleven of the Giving from the Heart Breakfast Committees, and always fills a table or two. Myra has tireless energy to spread the word about the good things MIYFS is doing for our community—on the many boards and committees she serves in, with her neighbors, with people new to the Island, and among her many friends and acquaintances. She fully understands and embraces the value that MIYFS provides to our community and she’s one of our very best community ambassador. 

The breakfast was catered by Island Crust Cafe, which was one of the sponsors of the fundraising breakfast.

Editor's Note: The original version of this story incorrectly stated Dr. David Weed's profession. He is an orthodontist.