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Hallie Evans is an AmeriCorps member serving at City Fruit as the Communications and Development Specialist in Seattle, Washington. Their service is focused on increasing City Fruit’s fundraising capacities through tools such as event planning, qualitative research, and social media.

Every year, City Fruit hosts a unique event that combines the warmth of community with the flavors of local cider and the sounds of jazz. City Fruit’s “Celebrates” event and fundraiser has become a beloved tradition, bringing together people who are passionate about reducing food waste, fostering urban fruit harvesting, and supporting local cideries.

This year, City Fruit “Celebrates” was an evening filled with laughter, connection, and purpose. Guests were treated to tastings from some of the best cideries in the region, including a few who used fruit gleaned directly from City Fruit’s own harvests. Imagine tasting a refreshing, crisp cider and knowing that some of those apples came straight from trees that would have otherwise gone unharvested. It’s a beautiful example of what we can achieve together—when we share resources and work towards sustainable solutions.

One of the night’s highlights was City Fruit’s silent auction, featuring everything from local outdoor experiences and theater tickets to gift cards and beautifully crafted cakes from local bakeries. Attendees eagerly browsed the offerings, excited by the opportunity to bid on items that celebrated the best of our local community. The silent auction created an atmosphere of friendly competition, but more importantly, every bid went towards supporting City Fruit’s mission to bring fresh fruit to neighbors in need, keep urban fruit trees healthy, and reduce food waste across Seattle.

A significant change in City Fruit’s approach to this year’s fundraiser was how City Fruit invited people to contribute. Rather than the traditional “raise the paddle” moment, where attendees pledge donations at specified amounts, City Fruit introduced a donation card model. This was a conscious choice to shift towards a more community-centric model of fundraising. The donation cards allowed guests to contribute at a level that felt right for them, without the pressure of a public ask. City Fruit’s goal was to create a space where all contributions—no matter the amount—were valued equally, recognizing that everyone’s support is meaningful and essential to City Fruit’s mission.

This new model reflects City Fruit’s belief that true community-building happens when people come together and contribute in ways that align with their values and capacities. Whether guests offered financial donations, volunteered time, or simply attended in support, everyone played an important role. By emphasizing inclusivity in our fundraising, City Fruit wanted everyone present to feel that they are part of the City Fruit family and its work to make Seattle a more sustainable and food-secure city.

Thank you to everyone who joined City Fruit, to the cideries who shared their craft, to the jazz musicians from Garfield High School who set the mood, and to each of you for believing in a Seattle where every fruit tree is harvested and every neighbor has access to fresh produce. City Fruit Celebrates isn’t just an event—it’s a celebration of what we can do when we come together for the common good. Cheers to many more years of cider, jazz, and community!