$250K+ Raised at Be the Bridge
Thank you so much for attending our Be the Bridge Spring Benefit and to those of you who donated remotely. Your donations topped $120,000, which surpassed our individual giving goal for the event!
Together with our community partners, we raised over $250,000, and more donations are still coming in! We are in awe of the generosity of this community, and we thank you for showing such incredible support for our students’ education and well-being.
Guests enjoyed the performances by our talented student musicians, took your chances at the raffle, captured moments with friends in the photo booth, and had fun cheering on the dessert dashers!
A huge thank you to our MC Joel Ryan; guest speakers Cathy Webb, Maya Shimokura-Lee, and Superintendent Dr. Jon Holmen; our student performers, Izzy Urbano and the LWHS Music Outreach Club; and everyone who participated in our event videos.
So many dedicated individuals contributed to the success of this event—our student and adult volunteers, raffle prize donors, Meet & Greet hosts, Table Captains, Ambassadors, and Trustees, along with the bakeries and community members who kindly donated the desserts.
Thank you also to our presenting partner Amazon and our many other generous Community Partners for their investment in our students’ present and future.
If you are not able to attend this year’s Benefit, we invite you to support the Foundation’s work with a monetary donation. If you would rather donate via Donor Advised Funds, stock donation, or a personal check, please email Janine Sorenson at Janine@lwsf.org.
View Featured Clips from Be the Bridge
What You Make Possible
A look at how community support helps remove barriers, support wellness, build connections, and enhance learning—told through the perspective of students.
Seeing Ourselves in Stories
Featuring two first grade students, Ira and Clara, this short video highlights the joy of discovering books that reflect their lives—made possible through the Foundation’s Inclusive Libraries grant.
Performers and Speakers
Joel Ryan
Master of Ceremonies
Joel has been part of the Lake Washington school district community for more than 20 years — as a resident, parent, PTSA member, volunteer, and girls’ basketball coach in Kirkland and Redmond.
Joel is the Executive Director of the Washington State Association of Head Start and ECEAP, where he advocates for early learning, special education, and ensuring kids — especially those facing the biggest barriers — have what they need to succeed. He also serves as an adjunct professor in the Early Childhood and Family Studies department at the University of Washington, working with the next generation of educators and leaders.
Izzy Urbano
Student Performer, Inglewood Middle School
Izzy has performed with Village Theatre KIDSTAGE, Redmond Academy of Theatre Arts, and Everrise Theatre, and is a proud member of the Lake Sammamish Chapter of the National Charity League.
A native Houstonian who’s found her community in LWSD, Izzy brings heart and talent to every performance
Cathy Webb
Teacher-Librarian, Mark Twain Elementary School
Now in her 11th year at Twain, Cathy Webb is a longtime PNW local—41 years and counting—and a passionate champion for students and literacy.
She’ll be sharing about the impact of our districtwide Inclusive Libraries grant and what it means for students to see themselves reflected in the books they read.
Maya Shimokura-Lee
Student, Lake Washington High School
Maya Shimokura-Lee is a sophomore at Lake Washington High School. She is passionate about environmental conservation.
She will share how finding herself in stories—and discovering new perspectives through books—has shaped her love of reading and why inclusive libraries matter to students.
Dr. Jon Holmen
Superintendent, Lake Washington School District
Dr. Holmen began his career teaching 3rd grade at Benjamin Rush Elementary. After teaching multiple grade levels and configurations, he moved into leadership roles, serving as Assistant to the Principal at multiple elementary schools and later serving as Principal at Samantha Smith Elementary. He served as a Director, Associate Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent and, on July 1, 2020, became the 13th Superintendent of Lake Washington.
Music Outreach Club
Student Performers, Lake Washington High School
Music Outreach Club is a student-run club. The club’s mission is to spread music to the community through small ensembles and solos. They strive to create an environment where music is accessible to everyone. So far, their club consists of a wide range of skill levels, from beginners to advanced.
Are you passionate about supporting students in the community?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Lake Washington Schools Foundation and why should I attend?
Be the Bridge is Lake Washington Schools Foundation’s biggest fundraiser of the year, rallying sponsorships and donations that support a wide range of transformative programs for students and families in the Lake Washington School District. By attending, you will get a glimpse into our programs and funding initiatives at work, listen to inspiring stories of impact, and witness how your contributions make a difference to the students in our community.
Why should I support the Lake Washington Schools Foundation?
The mission of the Lake Washington Schools Foundation (LWSF) is to raise funds and amplify community resources to provide students in Lake Washington School District what they need to thrive, both now and in the future.
LWSF is uniquely positioned to address critical needs and support essential programs within the District, stepping in to fill the gaps when Federal and state funding fall short. Our Foundation is dedicated to ensuring that every student has access to the resources and opportunities needed to succeed, by mobilizing community support and resources to make up for these funding deficiencies. This commitment positions us as a key partner in the educational ecosystem, actively contributing to the well-being and future success of our students.
Since its inception in 2005, the Foundation has raised and directed millions of dollars to district-wide programs and projects that prepare each of our district’s students for school and for life. Our work is only made possible by the generosity and support of our community.
Who can attend this event?
We warmly invite all individuals who are passionate about supporting local students to join us! Historically, our gatherings have been enriched by the presence of a diverse group of attendees, including parents, volunteers, and staff members from both within and beyond the Lake Washington School District. Each year, we are also honored to welcome leaders from the school district, representatives from local government, and community partners to our event. Be the Bridge is a unique opportunity for individuals united by a common goal—to achieve the Lake Washington Schools Foundation’s mission of empowering students to thrive, both now and in the future.
Be the Bridge is LWSF’s biggest annual source of funding. This event is free to attend and we encourage every attendee to donate as generously as possible. The minimum suggested donation is $250.
How can I bring a group of friends and community supporters to the event so that we can sit together?
Great idea! We would love our event to be full of friends gathering for a shared cause. Our Table Captains play this exact role, bringing together like-minded friends, colleagues, neighbors, and community members. A Table Captain’s #1 job is to help lead a generous table by filling the room with people who are—or have the potential to be—passionate about supporting students through LWSF. Please contact us at TableCaptains@lwsf.org to get started.
What is Raise the Paddle?
During the Be the Bridge Spring Benefit, we will have a “Raise the Paddle” auction. The event MC will invite guests to make a monetary donation at specific giving levels, and donors will raise their paddles to indicate their commitment. Each guest will receive a unique bid number upon pre-registration of their credit card. If you have not registered your credit card, we encourage you to do so in advance of the event and expedite wait times at check-in.
What is a Dessert Dash?
For dessert, we will have a variety of delicious desserts available for each table of guests. They will be displayed throughout the event, so be sure to scout out which dessert your table wants. Together, guests at each table will pool their donations (using their personal bid numbers) to make a collective Dessert Dash bid. Dessert Dash bid sheets will be collected from each table at a set point in the evening. The highest bidding table gets to “dash to the desserts” first, with subsequent tables following only seconds behind. Each table will select one ‘dasher’ to run up to the dessert display and claim their desired dessert for their table.
I just pre-registered my credit card. What happens next? When will I be charged?
Thanks for pre-registering and streamlining your check-in at the event! At check-in, you will receive a name tag, table assignment, and a unique bid number. (If a guest does not have a credit card on file, they can swipe their card at check-in.) You may use your unique bid number to make a donation during raise the paddle, contribute to your table’s dessert dash, and more! Following the event, we will double and triple check all bids and process the credit card transactions no later than 5 days after the event. At that time, you will receive an emailed receipt.
Other than attending and donating, how else can I support Be the Bridge?
Join us as a table captain and invite your friends, colleagues, neighbors, parents/grandparents that care about education and the well-being of our local students! Contact us at TableCaptains@lwsf.org for more info.
If your company is interested in supporting the well-being and education of students throughout Redmond, Kirkland, and Sammamish, we would love for them to join us as a Community Partner. Click here for more information. Giving levels begin at $1,000.
What if I am not available to attend?
If your heart aligns with our mission but you find yourself unable to attend the event, we warmly invite you to contribute on our online donation page. Your generous support plays a crucial role in helping us reach our fundraising targets for the event, ensuring that our efforts can continue to positively impact students across all schools. Every donation, no matter the size, makes a significant difference in our ability to enrich and support the educational journey of our students.
Looking for Table Captains
Do you have a passion for supporting student success in the Lake Washington School District? We’re on the lookout for Table Captains ready to lead and inspire at our spring benefit!
As a Table Captain, you have the exciting opportunity to bring together guests who are—or have the potential to be—passionate about supporting students through LWSF. Whether you choose to host or co-host a table, or simply invite others to attend, your role helps create a meaningful and inspiring event. You’ll welcome guests, share the impact of LWSF’s work, and enjoy a special gathering—all while making a difference for local students.
Email tablecaptains@lwsf.org to learn more and get involved!
Be our Community Partner
We’re excited to offer Community Partner opportunities for businesses and organizations eager to make a meaning impact on the lives of local students.
Our Community Partner Program offers celebrations that enhance your visibility and impact for a full year along with special recognition tied to our spring benefit event.
Reach out to Janine Sorenson at janine@lwsf.org to explore the giving levels and opportunities available.
