Contributed by Nathan Box, Kent Youth & Family Services

On May 2, 1,200+ nonprofits will ask for your support during the Seattle Foundation’s 2nd Annual GiveBIG. We are one of those nonprofits. Our difference is clear though. We are right here in your community. Every dollar donated to Kent Youth and Family Services stays right here in South King County. In fact, your dollars go to work providing Youth/Family & Substance Abuse Counseling to residents of Covington and youth and families throughout the Kent School District. They also provide Outreach services at three King County Housing Authority sites, as well as transitional housing to homeless single moms and learning opportunities to 400+ kids in our Head Start/ECEAP program. Our services powered by your generosity supports 8,000 individuals in our community every year.

So, from midnight to midnight (Pacific Time) on May 2, join the Seattle Foundation as they host their 2nd annual GiveBIG. The goal is to turn out thousands of new and returning individual donors to help support local nonprofits. Donations will be stretched further thanks to individuals donors and business sponsors like Seattle Sounders FC, Microsoft, Seattle International Foundation, JP Morgan Chase, Russell Investments, Starbucks and more.

KYFS is excited to participate in this local day of giving. To support us directly, visit our Seattle Foundation page on May 2.

Thanks in advance for the support. Happy Giving.

Working toward a better future,

Nathan H. Box
Fund Developer and Community Relations Manager
Kent Youth & Family Services
nathanb@kyfs.org
(253) 859-0300 Ext. 3045
www.kyfs.org

In a press release dated February 12, 2010, the Seattle Thunderbirds announced Hockey Challenge 2010, a charity event that benefits Ronald McDonald House Charities of Western Washington and Alaska. The fundraiser is scheduled for Sat., February 27 at the ShoWare Center in Kent.

Sponsors form hockey teams to raise money to play in the Challenge. The proceeds from the Challenge go directly to support the operations of the Seattle Ronald McDonald House, a home-away-from home for seriously ill children and their families. In 2009, the Seattle Ronald McDonald House provided housing for more than 700 families.

This year’s schedule:

Game 1 – Windows Women vs. Exchange Women, 9:40 a.m.
Game 2 – Microsoft Spartans vs. Amazon.com, 11:35 a.m.
Game 3 – Entertainment & Devices vs. Microsoft Mystery Team, 1:30 p.m.
Game 4 – Windows Live vs. MS IT, 3:25 p.m.
Celebrity Autograph Session – 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on west concourse of ShoWare Center
Game 5 – Seattle Thunderbirds vs. Portland Winterhawks, 6:05 p.m.
Game 6 – Celebrity All-Star, immediately following T-Birds/Winterhawks game

Celebrities scheduled to appear include Michael Rosenbaum (Smallville), Jason Thompson (General Hospital), Cameron Bancroft (24: Day 4, Hockeyville on CBC), Brian Basset (cartoonist of Adam @ Home and Red and Rover), Kelly Tysland (formerly Kelly Stephens 2006 U.S. Women’s Olympic hockey bronze medalist), Bill Wixey (KCPQ news anchor), Paul Silvi (KING 5 sports anchor), Ian Furness (KJR 950 AM Host) and former T-Bird Ryan Gibbons. Celebrities will be on hand for an autograph session between 5 and 5:30 p.m.

In the last 11 years, the Hockey Challenge has raised over $3.5 million for the Seattle Ronald McDonald House.

For more information, visit the Seattle Thunderbirds online.