I hope you had a peaceful and merry holiday season.

Here at the Foundation, 2017 finished with grace and generosity, as supporters like you gave nearly $2,800 in our Zero Balance campaign to erase school lunch debt.

We've hit the ground running in 2018. With upcoming Reach for Success grants to benefit classrooms, our new FAN campaign to fund music arts in schools, and a Find Your Fit presentation LWTech on January 31, we're finding more ways to help you bridge the gaps between what our students have and what they need to succeed.

In this second issue of the Impact Update, I'm excited to share with you the moving story of Kim and Bailey, a mother and daughter who are making a difference in our community. Read on to learn about our upcoming events and campaigns, and don't forget to register to attend our annual spring benefit luncheon.

Please note that we're hosting just one spring event this year--a luncheon at the Redmond Marriott on Tuesday, March 27. Lt. Governor Cyrus Habib is our keynote speaker and Juanita High School student Grace Harrington returns as an MC. It promises to be an inspiring afternoon. I hope to see you there.

Sincerely,
​Larry Wright, PhD
Executive Director
Lake Washington Schools Foundation

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! ​

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.​

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. ​

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.