Special thanks to Susan Henry of Susan Henry Photography who donated her time, talent, love and a million editing hours to photographing and uploading all the bowls and silent auction items. (She also helps make the bowls!)

Susan has long supported and encouraged the work of The Jesse Tree and provided tremendous assistance during The Give Galveston a Hug and The One in A Million Campaign to rebuild after Hurricane Ike – words cannot adequately express our gratitude and love for her and her work!

A special shout out to The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship and all those dedicated individuals who donate their time and talent to creating hundreds of bowls each year.

Thank you:

Madeleine Baker - The Annual Empty Bowl Event came to Galveston as the brainchild of a wonderful person, a member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Galveston County and former President of The Jesse Tree Board of Directors and volunteer. Madeleine Baker does so many wonderful things that we could fill this entire publication with her talents, tributes and triumphs. She became aware of a growing movement called The Empty Bowl that originated when a Seventh Grade Art Teacher wanted to demonstrate to his students that Art can be a means of confronting and solving social problems. He taught them to make a simple, ceramic bowl; encouraged them to create an event at which patrons would contribute to the cause, receive a bowl, be served soup and bread in their bowls, keep the bowl as a souvenir and the proceeds would be contributed to local organizations that feed the poor. The idea caught on and Madeleine introduced it in Galveston eighteen years ago. The first event, held at The Unitarian’s lovely chapel in Galveston, was packed to the gills, so, the event moved to The newly remolded Lasker House, where Host Jeff Kalor offered house tours in addition to soups donated by local restaurants and the event grew even bigger! For many several years, the event has been held in the beautiful, historic Garten Verein, a Victorian Gazebo in Kempner Park with Soup Stations around the perimeter of the building and hundreds of folks selecting bowls, tasting soups from fantastic local restaurants, enjoying a glass of wine, and bidding on additional ceramic items at The Silent Auction. Local musicians, such as Valencia Arceneaux and Hector Bisio have entertained as the empty bowls were filled to the brim! Madeleine had no idea how rapidly the event would grow, but, she, The Unitarians and The Bowlers (those who handcraft each ceramic bowl) knew that the funding would assure that as a result of this event, the residents of Holland House, Gulf Breeze and The Oaks – some of the poorest seniors and disabled folks in our community – would receive monthly food boxes, wellness checks, friendly visits and encouragement. And they do! Each year the event raises from $20,000 to $30,000 with every cent supporting this worthy cause. Hats off to Madeleine, The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Galveston County and The Wonderful Bowlers – thanks, so much!