The Wexford County Democratic Party (WCDP) welcomed a full-capacity crowd to its annual Ephraim Shay Gala on Friday, May 9, at Evergreen Resort in Cadillac. Tickets for the sold-out event were unavailable in the days leading up to the gala, underscoring strong community interest in the party’s annual fundraiser.

The evening featured special recognition of a WCDP member, remarks from Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel, and a live auction to benefit local Democratic campaigns.

The program opened with a presentation honoring WCDP County Committee Chair Mark Yonkman, this year’s recipient of the WCDP Service Award. Vice Chair Paula Meyers, who nominated Yonkman, called him “a rare bridge between rural and urban life.”

Yonkman, who grew up on a family farm in Boon, later pursued a career in law, eventually serving as general counsel for a Fortune 500 company. Mark has now returned to the family farm in Boon and works as both an attorney and Democratic political consultant as well as a farmer.

A keynote address by Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel was a highlight of the evening. Hertel, a former state senator, told attendees the state party is “working every single day to build a party that you can be proud of.” He emphasized the vital role of grassroots efforts, urging participants to visit the Michigan Democratic Party’s website, michigandems.com, and share their stories through the “What’s Your Story?” feature.

The event concluded with a live auction, with proceeds supporting campaign efforts for local Democratic candidates.

Chair Bill Allen said that the turnout for WCDP events has continued to grow over the past year. “I could not be more proud of the efforts of our members. Each of us recognizes the political stakes confronting our community and our nation. The WCDP is ready to take on the challenges we face. Our slogan Forward Together has never been more important.” 

 View photos of the event below.