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These beautiful spring days have us here at LWSF feeling invigorated and inspired--just in time for our annual benefit luncheon on Tuesday, March 27. If you haven't already registered, please take a moment to reserve your seat. We'll welcome keynote speaker Lt. Governor Cyrus Habib and an array of local heroes who are making a difference in our community. I hope to see you there. I'm delighted to share this third issue of the Impact Update (read past issues here). Read on for the inspiring origin story of the Girl Power group, as well as news and events to help you get involved and make a difference. Did you recently donate to LWSF? We've been honored by our community's generosity this year. In January, our FAN campaign to fund music arts in schools met with enthusiasm, raising over $5000. And for Valentine's Day, LWSF helped parents and students to send messages of appreciation to 114 teachers in our schools. Together, we can help all students in the LWSD achieve success in and out of the classroom. Sincerely, Larry Wright Executive Director Lake Washington Schools Foundation Donor spotlight |
p.s. bring your bags! An easy way to give: use your reusable shopping bags when buying groceries at Whole Foods Redmond and tell them to donate your five-cent credit (per bag) to the Lake Washington Schools Foundation. We're one of two selected recipients this quarter. Program runs through March 31, so remember your bags--and tell them to "Give it to LWSF!" |  |
Whole Foods Redmond is located at 17991 Ne Redmond Way, Redmond, WA 98052.
donor spotlight
"mOM, I THINK MY FRIEND IS HOMELESS."
By Elizabeth Russell
Bailey, then just a little girl, spoke out of the blue. Her mother, Kim, replied, “What do you mean?”
"I think they're sleeping in their car. Mom, do you think they can stay at our house sometimes, just so that they can have breath?”
Kim didn't hesitate. “Of course they can come over and stay with us, and get breath.”
“Breath” is a bit of shorthand between mother and daughter. In their household, “breath” can describe a space where one can manage some of life’s obstacles. Kim says that sometimes it’s about “finding your breath for a moment, and that will help you navigate whatever is overwhelming you.”
"I think they're sleeping in their car. Mom, do you think they can stay at our house sometimes, just so that they can have breath?”
Kim didn't hesitate. “Of course they can come over and stay with us, and get breath.”
“Breath” is a bit of shorthand between mother and daughter. In their household, “breath” can describe a space where one can manage some of life’s obstacles. Kim says that sometimes it’s about “finding your breath for a moment, and that will help you navigate whatever is overwhelming you.”
WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR CHILDREN, YOU CAN DO BETTER THAN DUCT TAPE.
Lake Washington School District music programs win awards and enrich our children's lives. So when the school district let us know that our high and middle schools needed nearly $300,000 in instruments in the next five years, we knew you'd want to help.
Become a "FAN" and fund-a-need for music arts in local schools. Direct your support to the school or learning community of your choice, or make a general donation to support LWSD's circulating instrument library.
It's hard enough for a child to play a tuba. Let's make sure it isn't duct-taped.
Learn more about the need in your area...
Become a "FAN" and fund-a-need for music arts in local schools. Direct your support to the school or learning community of your choice, or make a general donation to support LWSD's circulating instrument library.
It's hard enough for a child to play a tuba. Let's make sure it isn't duct-taped.
Learn more about the need in your area...
register now for local college presentation on January 31, 2018
Lake Washington Schools Foundation is pleased to partner with Lake Washington Institute of Technology to present the next step in its "Find Your Fit" series. Free and open to all Lake Washington School District families, this presentation and Q&A session (with tours available after) will introduce the array of workforce-ready programs available at this vibrant local college.
Get ready to think outside of the classic college box at this exciting presentation. Sign up today and arrive on time for a free chicken sandwich; this event will fill up!
Get ready to think outside of the classic college box at this exciting presentation. Sign up today and arrive on time for a free chicken sandwich; this event will fill up!
reach for success with
classroom grants up to $3000
Do you know a teacher, school club, or other school-associated need that could benefit from a little extra funding? Lake Washington Schools Foundation funds innovative educational programs that enhance or expand district curriculum, support a school’s goals, and are in line with the Foundation’s mission to support academic excellence and success for all district students. A grant application can be written up to a $3,000 maximum request per project, and applications will be available on the LWSF website the last week of January.
Need help with your Reach for Success application? Have questions about the program? Visit our information page for grant guidelines, frequently asked questions, and more.
Need help with your Reach for Success application? Have questions about the program? Visit our information page for grant guidelines, frequently asked questions, and more.
reserve your seat at our annual benefit luncheon on march 27, 2018
Sign up today to engage with like-minded community members and be inspired by remarkable speakers while enjoying a delicious luncheon at the Marriott Redmond Town Center.
This year, we're honored to welcome Lt. Governor Cyrus Habib as our guest speaker and the fabulous Grace Harrington has agreed to return as a student MC...with a little co-hosting help from KOMO meteorologist and Redmond High School alumna Shannon O'Donnell. Hear from an inspiring group of everyday philanthropists and learn just what it takes to build a bridge in our community.
Email us now to become a Table Captain or Corporate Sponsor. Only a few tables are left.
This year, we're honored to welcome Lt. Governor Cyrus Habib as our guest speaker and the fabulous Grace Harrington has agreed to return as a student MC...with a little co-hosting help from KOMO meteorologist and Redmond High School alumna Shannon O'Donnell. Hear from an inspiring group of everyday philanthropists and learn just what it takes to build a bridge in our community.
Email us now to become a Table Captain or Corporate Sponsor. Only a few tables are left.
And remember⸺just one spring event this year!
It's Pantry Packs day.
Every Friday, all over the Lake Washington School District, more than eight hundred children will walk into their school counselor's office or open their locker and pick up a non-descript grocery bag filled with nourishing food.
If you donated to our fall campaign, Pantry Packs is one way you're making an impact. If you've given an unrestricted donation, you're also contributing to the steady progress a student makes while working with his Avid tutor, the connections made between a high schooler and his LINKs mentor, and dozens of other programs and grants.
Here, in Impact Update, we'll gather stories and report back to you on the impact you're having, and give you opportunities for more. I hope you enjoy this first issue.
Sincerely,
Larry Wright, PhD
Executive Director
Lake Washington Schools Foundation
P.S. Reach out to me anytime--I'd love to hear your ideas.
Every Friday, all over the Lake Washington School District, more than eight hundred children will walk into their school counselor's office or open their locker and pick up a non-descript grocery bag filled with nourishing food.
If you donated to our fall campaign, Pantry Packs is one way you're making an impact. If you've given an unrestricted donation, you're also contributing to the steady progress a student makes while working with his Avid tutor, the connections made between a high schooler and his LINKs mentor, and dozens of other programs and grants.
Here, in Impact Update, we'll gather stories and report back to you on the impact you're having, and give you opportunities for more. I hope you enjoy this first issue.
Sincerely,
Larry Wright, PhD
Executive Director
Lake Washington Schools Foundation
P.S. Reach out to me anytime--I'd love to hear your ideas.
donor spotlight:
one good kid inspires another.
Local hero Barrett with his "big check" for Pantry Packs from GoFundMe.
Local fourth-grade student Barrett was inspired to act when he heard about another kid’s philanthropy efforts to raise money for children who need hearing aids. He and his mom contemplated how Barrett could give back to his community. Back in September, Barrett’s mom had received an email about LWSF's Pantry Packs campaign, and she told Barrett about it. Barrett said, “I was very surprised that 815 students go hungry each week in the LWSD.” Together, they created the material for a GoFundMe page with a $250 goal--which was surpassed in 3 days!
So far, Barrett's page has raised nearly $1900 dollars in about a month’s time and received an additional $1,000 from GoFundMe when they selected Barrett as one of their Kid Heroes. He was also honored with an award given by his school at Rockwell Elementary. Barrett's mother said this award is given to students “who give their ‘Beagle Best’ by being safe, respectful, responsible, and kind in all aspects of school life.” He’s also participated in a Pantry Packs “packing party.” We asked Barrett about his future plans with helping Pantry Packs and he replied, “My idea for future ways to help Pantry Packs is to donate gift cards for groceries for breaks, especially Winter break!”
Thank you Barrett for all that you’ve accomplished. You are what makes the world a better place!
Follow us on Facebook or Twitter to hear these stories as they happen!
So far, Barrett's page has raised nearly $1900 dollars in about a month’s time and received an additional $1,000 from GoFundMe when they selected Barrett as one of their Kid Heroes. He was also honored with an award given by his school at Rockwell Elementary. Barrett's mother said this award is given to students “who give their ‘Beagle Best’ by being safe, respectful, responsible, and kind in all aspects of school life.” He’s also participated in a Pantry Packs “packing party.” We asked Barrett about his future plans with helping Pantry Packs and he replied, “My idea for future ways to help Pantry Packs is to donate gift cards for groceries for breaks, especially Winter break!”
Thank you Barrett for all that you’ve accomplished. You are what makes the world a better place!
Follow us on Facebook or Twitter to hear these stories as they happen!
Together, we can zero balance school lunch debt in the lwsd.
 | We know you care about children. We've seen your generosity before, in campaigns like Pantry Packs and others like it. This one's different. This time, we're asking you to give a little to make sure every family starts the new year with a Zero Balance. A fresh start for all students. Isn't that the best gift you can imagine? Read More... |
register now for local college presentation on January 31, 2018.
 | Lake Washington Schools Foundation is pleased to partner with Lake Washington Institute of Technology to present the next step in its "Find Your Fit" series. Free and open to all Lake Washington School District families, this presentation and Q&A session (with tours available after) will introduce the array of workforce-ready programs available at this vibrant local college. Get ready to think outside of the classic college box at this exciting presentation. Sign up today; this event will fill up! Register for event |
"I'd tell them, hey, we've got 300 LWSD homeless students. They were like, 'Really?'"
 Marlene Vacknitz (right) with Colleen Wolfe, volunteer Pantry Packs driver for Redmond Middle School. (Photo by Anne Young with Young Reflections Photography, 2017). | You may have already heard of Pantry Packs by now but what about the volunteers that run it day in, day out? For this story, we chose to interview one of the Pantry Packs Volunteer Leadership Team Members, Marlene Vacknitz, to learn about the roots of Pantry Packs. When Marlene first began advocating for the Eastside's homeless population, she'd chat with friends and colleagues about her work and was often stunned by the lack of awareness she encountered, even among well-intentioned and compassionate people who are were already working to help youth in the area. Read more... |
save-the-date FOR OUR ANNUAL BENEFIT LUNCHEON ON MARCh 27, 2018
 | Mark your calendars for our biggest annual event. The Spring for Learning luncheon invites local philanthropists (that's you!) to engage with like-minded community members and be inspired by remarkable speakers while enjoying a fabulous luncheon at the Marriott Redmond. This year, we're excited to welcome Lt. Governor Cyrus Habib as our guest speaker. Email us now to become a Table Captain or Corporate Sponsor! |
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