More than 400 attendees gathered at The Westin Bellevue on May 18 and raised more than $170,000 for the Kirkland and Redmond/Sammamish Boys & Girls clubs.
The Kirkland Boys & Girls Club first held the Summer Dreams Auction 21 years ago and this year for the first time the Redmond/Sammamish Club joined the effort.
“We are thrilled to have both clubs join forces to support the youth and teens of our community,” said east regional director Doug Wozeniak. “It’s a win-win for everyone, especially the kids, as we were able to raise more funds than ever to support our much-needed programs and services.”
With Coldwell Banker Bain, the Seattle Luxury Group and Vance Anthony Hill as presenting community partners, the event featured silent and live auctions, dinner and musical performances from club youth.
The event also included awards to each club’s “Children’s Champion.” This honor is given to individuals, families, organizations or companies dedicated to impacting the youth of their communities.
The 2013 Kirkland Club’s “Children Champion” is Adam Cornell. Now a prosecutor in Snohomish County’s Special Assault Unit, Cornell is a former Kirkland club member and 1990 Boys & Girls Club’s National Youth of the Year winner — the highest achievement a club member can obtain. Cornell has dedicated his life to advocating for children and has spoken across the country on behalf of the Boys & Girls Club movement.
The Redmond/Sammamish Boys & Girls Club selected the Joshua P. Williams Foundation as its “Children’s Champion.” The foundation was formed in 2003 by parents Phil and Debbie Williams who lost their son Joshua due to injuries resulting from a snowboarding accident.
Friends, family, classmates and teammates come together each year at their annual dinner and golf tournament to pay tribute to Joshua and raise funds for area youth serving organizations. The foundation has contributed more than $250,000 over the past 10 years to the Redmond/Sammamish Boys & Girls Club and helped make the new Sammamish Teen Center a reality.
For more information about the auction or to make a donation, contact Jeremy Peck at (425) 250-4786 or Meg Diemer at (425) 250-4757 or visit www.positiveplace.org.
