Encompass Rise & Thrive Breakfast virtual fundraiser raises over $100,000

The Encompass Rise & Thrive Breakfast had a new location this year: the internet. During a successful May 19th virtual fundraiser, the Snoqualmie Valley community came together virtually to raise over $112,000 in support of Encompass programs for children and families.

Over 140 guests logged on from across the country for the program that included an awards presentation, a keynote address on the importance of early childhood intervention and two families’ stories of finding the support they needed at Encompass.

[View the full program on YouTube here.]

KING 5’s Chris Cashman led the festivities for the fourth year in a row, taking his hosting duties virtual this year. Encompass Executive Director Nela Cumming shared how Encompass has been supporting families during COVID-19 and to present this year’s Encompass partner awards.

The John Castle Corporate Partner of the Year Award went to Lorna Stern of Pioneer Van Lines and Keri Bailey of ABC World Movers. Stern and Bailey have been Encompass supporters for many years both as corporate sponsors and individual supporters, and Bailey is an Emeritus Board Member.

Host Chris Cashman leading the May 19th virtual event

Next keynote speaker Rebecca Partridge, MD, spoke about the importance of early intervention in a child’s development, sharing her personal early intervention journey with her son, Josh, who has Down Syndrome.

She also shared her professional perspective on early intervention and how it can be instrumental to a child’s development. “As a physician,” she says, “I have a wave of relief wash over me when I meet a family from Issaquah, Sammamish, North Bend, because I know Encompass is there.”

Two families then shared what their experience with Encompass programs and what they’ve meant. The Lendermans described how they got started with Encompass Birth to Three Early Intervention:

“We had a birth diagnosis with Nova of Down Syndrome, and at just seven weeks old, a team came into our home, and I can truly say that it was the first time in seven weeks that I felt like people were advocating for her; instead of warning us of what could be, it was excitement about her future and what she could achieve.” The Hansen Family talked about their experiences with Toddler Groups, Birth to Three Early Intervention, Preschool, and Summer Camps at Encompass. “We don’t know where we would be without Encompass,” said Jenna Hansen, “and we just want to thank everybody for being there and continuing to be there for us.”

The Lenderman Family shared how they have benefitted from Encompass Birth to Three Early Intervention services

Event organizers say the 2020 Rise & Thrive Virtual Breakfast would not have been possible without the support of 24 local sponsors: Heritage Bank, Hutt Construction Inc., and Nintendo; Abbott Construction, Banner Bank, OAC, and Virginia Mason; CNR Inc., GK Knutson, Lund Opsahl, Overlake Medical Center, Reliance Fire Protection, Snoqualmie Springs School, and Weaver Financial; Commercial Technician Services, Eastside Psychological Associates, Edward Jones, Elite Services and Support, The Goddard School, Goldsmith Land Development Services, Huntington Learning Center of North Bend, Pat L Bohan, CPA, Pioneer Coffee Roasting Company, and Technical Glass Products.

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