Dear Penguin Staff and Listeners (a.k.a. my Penguin family):

How can I ever fully express my gratitude for all you’ve done to help me during my current health crisis? Thank you for dedicating this year’s Charity Ukulele Raffle to help me pay my mounting medical bills. The money raised through the raffle will be put to good use as new insurance deductibles and higher premiums go into effect in January.

Thank you to The Penguin, Kent Knorr/NC Ukulele Academy, the musicians who autographed the ukes, and Deluxe Restaurant. And thanks, especially, to everyone—Penguin listeners, fans and friends—who purchased raffle tickets to help me fight this cancer. I am moved to tears each time I remember that phone call from Beau on December 23rd, the night the winners were announced. I was finally on my way home from Duke University Medical Center, having recently received a bone marrow transplant. When the call came through, we were driving home but still out of range of the station. Even so, we could feel the love and charity of everyone involved. The entire Penguin staff and Kent Knorr were gathered at the station, listeners were tuned in, fans and friends were gathered at Deluxe where the ukes were on display. It was heartwarming to know that so many of you were present in person and in spirit. When Beau told me that the raffle broke its previous record and the amount that was raised, I was speechless and teary-eyed. There are no words to fully convey my gratitude, but I want everyone to know how honored and humbled I am by your generosity. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. May God bless you all.

With sincere and humble gratitude,

William Paco Strickland