The Renton Community Foundation in February hosted its inaugural “CELEBRATE! The Love of Community” event at the Renton Pavilion. More than 300 people joined in to listen to music by Miles From Chicago and celebrate giving back to the greater Renton area.
Even three retired Seahawks – Michael Jackson, Nesby Glasgow and Tony Benjamin – joined the festivities and led the crowd in a Sea-HAWKS cheer to kick off the evening.
“This was a night to celebrate and participate,” Board President Rich Wagner said in a press release.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the League of Extraordinary Givers awards. Dr. Dolores Gibbons, founding board member and Awards Committee Chair, gave out the awards.
“The people we will honor tonight weren’t driven by recognition, but rather an inner passion for doing what’s right, helping others, and making a difference,” she said during the presentation. “The goal is to bring attention to the good work that so many people in our community do, and to hopefully inspire others to follow in their footsteps.”
Award winners included Alex & Norma Cugini, Marcie Maxwell, King Parker and Pat Auten for the Lifetime of Giving Award; Meegan Prince for the Rising Star Award; RotaCare (a collaboration between Renton Rotary, Valley Medical Center and the Renton Salvation Army) and Karen Bergsvik for the Public Spirit Award; and Dale Walker for the Patron of the Year Award.
The surprise of the evening was an award given to Terry Higashiyama as the foundation’s first Luminary Award winner. This was the only award not publicly announced in advance. Higashiyama was honored, not only as the driving force behind the new inclusive playground at Meadow Crest Early Learning Center, but according to Gibbons, “for Terry’s generous spirit and infectious, positive attitude.”
The foundation also celebrated its 15th anniversary with a cake made to look like a giant champagne bucket and bottle of champagne.
During his remarks, Wagner, reported that the Foundation has grown from managing just two charitable funds in 1999, to more than $8 million and 50 funds today. During its 15-year run, the Foundation has distributed more than $6 million back to the community to support the arts, healthcare, the disabled, the homeless, and even beloved pets.
A video, created by Susan Johnson and the Renton High School video production department, highlighted a number of organizations that have benefitted over the years from foundation grants.
In addition to acknowledging over $200,000 in grants from the Circle of Giving, The Next Curve, and the First Financial Northwest Foundation Fund, attendees were given the opportunity to vote on which organizations would go home with an additional $1,000 grant to help their clients with transportation needs.
Lynn Bohart, foundation executive director, talked about how good deeds can make you feel better. Then, she got everyone to raise one finger and promise to do one good deed the following day.
“Our goal tonight was to elevate the conversation around philanthropy and to get more people involved,” said Bohart.
The evening concluded with Master of Ceremonies, Chuck Tiernan, asking the crowd to sing happy anniversary to the foundation, while balloons dropped from the ceiling.
“We have only one problem,” says Gene Sens, event chair. “How do we top this for next year?”
For more information about the Renton Community Foundation, the award winners and how you can give back to the community, visit their website at www.rentoncommunityfoundation.org.
