Acres of Diamonds will host its Diamond Dinner & Auction on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue Grand Ballroom. The cocktail attire event begins at 5:30 PM with a reception and silent auction, followed by dinner, program, and live auction at 6:45 PM.
Hosted by Jenni Butz and Fred Northup Jr., the evening will feature live music, food and wine, and desserts provided by Pinkabella Cupcake Company. This marks the organization’s 30th year of providing services to families experiencing homelessness in the region.
Comprehensive Approach to Breaking Cycles
Unlike other organizations in Western Washington that offer short-term transitional housing or rapid rehousing, Acres of Diamonds provides longer-term solutions combined with comprehensive programming. The organization addresses root causes affecting homeless families: generations of poverty, abuse, domestic violence, and addiction.
Program participants engage in counseling, mentoring, health and nutrition classes, financial literacy and budgeting, parenting classes, and interview and job coaching. Women and their children can remain in the program as long as they demonstrate progress toward independence.
The results speak to the program’s effectiveness: 100% of women and children from abusive situations are now safe, 94% of previously homeless families have achieved stable housing, and 92% of women living in addiction are now clean and sober.
“With Acres’ help and support, I can now shine brightly,” shared one program graduate.
Auction Items and Community Impact
This year’s silent and live auctions will feature several items. Paula Bordenet, Donor Relations Manager, noted that auction items will include a James Bond experience, dinners at restaurants including El Gaucho and The Herb Farm, and getaway experiences to Coeur d’Alene and Sagecliffe.
“The Diamond Dinner is Acres’ biggest fundraiser and a powerful evening which includes a live and silent auction as well as a moving testimony from a graduate,” Bordenet explained. “Proceeds from the evening will help to ensure that every homeless woman and child who comes to Acres receives the opportunity to rewrite their story.”
Getting Involved
Snoqualmie Valley residents can get involved beyond attending the event. Volunteer opportunities include serving as greeters, handling raffle ticket sales, and managing coat check during the fundraiser.
Year-round volunteer roles include providing meals and serving residents at monthly community dinners, budget coaching, math tutoring, and group projects from yard maintenance to apartment cleaning and preparing spaces for new families.
Registration closes September 13, with tickets and information available HERE. The Hyatt Regency Bellevue is located at 900 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue, WA 98004. For questions, contact events@acresofdiamonds.org or call 425.788.9999.
The event represents not just a fundraising opportunity, but a chance for the community to learn about an organization that has been quietly transforming lives in the Snoqualmie Valley for three decades.
[2024 Dinner & Auction images courtesy of Mike Nakamura Photography]
