BELLEVUE, Wash. (CitizenWire) — Washington Women In Need (WWIN), a local non-profit organization that provides financial assistance to low income women in Washington, today announced that it raised more than $370,000 at its annual spring luncheons held in Seattle and Bellevue. Representing a 10 percent increase over funds raised at the 2010 luncheons, all of the money raised will directly go to establishing grants for women who need assistance in education, health care and counseling.
"With WWIN's 20th year anniversary around the corner, more than 5,000 women's lives have been impacted for the better thanks to WWIN. The Seattle and Bellevue benefits luncheons were a testament of the community's strong commitment and desire to continue that legacy," said Susan Stead, President of the Board of Directors for WWIN. "I am honored to be part of this community and want to thank our donors, volunteers and partners for their contributions and continued support over the years. Their commitment to WWIN helps to build a bridge to brighter futures for women in Washington – one woman at a time."
Emceed by Susannah Frame in Seattle and Lori Matsukawa in Bellevue of KING 5 Television, the luncheons featured testimonials by former WWIN clients – Donel Pederson, an education grant recipient, and Kristine Medea, an education and counseling grant recipient.
"In all of my life, I had never worked with an organization that treated me so well and so humanely," said Medea. "WWIN is an amazing organization, and being their guest speaker is the least I could do after all they have done for me. I honestly don't know where I'd be today without WWIN."
"Walking into WWIN's offices was humbling for me since I was the one who was always giving back. The title alone didn't seem where I was in life, but I swallowed my pride and applied for the education grant. I was treated with respect and dignity, and got back on my feet thanks to WWIN," said Pederson.
A combined total of 841 people attended the luncheons to support and help raise money for the organization. The Seattle luncheon was held on April 1 and the Bellevue luncheon took place on May 4.
As always, every penny of the money raised at this year's fundraisers will go directly to financial assistance for education and health care for low income women determined to improve the quality of their lives and the lives of their families.
Following is a full list of partners for both the Seattle and Bellevue luncheons:
Partners: $47,500
DIAMOND PARTNER – $10,000
Community Funding Group.
PLATINUM PARTNERS – $5,000
Anonymous
Charlie's Produce
Polygon Northwest.
GOLD PARTNER – $3,500
Overlake Hospital Medical Center.
SILVER PARTNER – $2,500
Nintendo of America Inc.
BRONZE PARTNERS – $1,500
Charter Private Bank
Theresa Cheng, DDS
D. A. Burns & Sons, Inc.
Foster Pepper PLLC
Owners Services, Inc.
Parker, Smith & Feek, Inc.
Stafford Frey Cooper
Sterling Savings Bank
Union Bank
Valley Medical Center
Washington Federal.
In Kind Partners:
Art Manti, A&A Printing
John Scholl, BIGink
Claudia Marks Larkin, CMJ Design
Elliot Bay Productions
Peggy Watt, Lancer, Inc
Miriam Lisco, Walsh Design.
About WWIN (Washington Women In Need):
Founded in 1992, WWIN provides education and health care assistance to low income women who are at least 18 years of age and are residents of Washington. Washington Women In Need provides funding to more than 300 women each year, and has provided grants to more than 5,000 women since 1992.
For more information please visit: http://www.wwin.org .
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