Renton is definitely a philanthropic kind of town. In just this month alone, I think that we have been invited to five different fundraising events. I know many of you are in this same boat, and in a down-economy are choosing your events and charitable donations carefully. There is an upcoming auction in November (the 12th) at the Spirit of Washington Events Center, which benefits Piazza Renton and the Renton Community Foundation (RCF), that you might consider attending.

Piazza Renton and RCF reach far and wide in returning their dollars right back into this community. Just as a reminder, Piazza Renton organizes many of the downtown events, including the Spring Festival, the Fall Harvest Festival and the December tree-lighting event, which brings in Santa. This organization also provides the volunteers that staff the Farmer’s Market.

In the past, Piazza Renton has given donations from its fundraising efforts to the Renton Rotary Salvation Army Food Bank, KCSARC, the Boy Scouts, Renton Clothes Bank, RAYS and others. In addition, Piazza Renton will use its share of the net proceeds to continue to make sure the events mentioned above are free to the public.

On the Renton Community Foundation side, they manage more than 40 charitable funds, giving away more than $289,000 in 2008.  Grants to help the homeless included the Way Back Inn and the Salvation Army, while a grant from the Charles L. Custer Parks Fund provided money to help renovate Burnett Park. Mini-grants to Renton High School were provided through the RHS: Excellence in Education Fund and thousands of dollars were distributed to help seniors with their emergency pet care needs through the Budkis Fund.

This year’s collaboration between the two groups is a first in the nine- year history of Piazza auctions. Lynn Bohart, executive director of the Renton Community Foundation said: “RCF is proud to partner with Piazza Renton and is dedicated to growing Renton’s philanthropic community to solve our collective problems.”

The Piazza Renton auction theme for this year is the “Magic of Giving” and will include an excellent dining experience and live and silent auction items.

And, there is still time to register! For more information contact: Jim Medzegian at 206-772-1016 or jmedzegian@aol.com.

Susan Bressler is an active member of a number of Renton organizations, including Piazza Renton. E-mail her at scbressler@comcast.net.