Many Islanders attended the recent “Rare Soiree,” which was organized by Effie Parks and Jill Hawkins and raised money for rare-disease research. Islander Julie Ruan Yu donated the art gallery space for the local event, which featured silent and live auctions. More than $60,000 was raised and will be shared between the FAM177A1 Research Fund and CTNNB1 Connect & Cure. Volunteers sitting at the table, from right to left: Genevieve Morton, Rachel Harris and Emily Morse. In the background singing, Aly Burkes and Deb Brandt, aka “The Small Bandits.” Photo courtesy of Kristen Elliott