Hopelink, the largest social services agency serving east and north
King County, is celebrating 35 years of service in 2006. With 40-plus
programs designed to help low-income and homeless families and senior
citizens achieve or maintain self-sufficiency, the agency touches more
than 50,000 lives every year.
From food banks and transportation services, to child development
centers for at-risk children, to literacy skills training and
transitional and emergency housing, Hopelink works hard to give its
neighbors in east and north King County the means to transform their
lives, enabling them to transition from vulnerability and crisis to
independence and stability.
Hopelink started in 1971 as a grassroots job referral program to assist
laid-off Boeing employees. Local churches joined in with food
donations. In 1977, the agency added transportation services for the
low-income, disabled and elderly. Hopelink's housing program began with
one emergency shelter in 1984. It now has six service centers
(Shoreline, Bothell, Sno-Valley, Kirkland, Bellevue and Redmond), 84
units of housing that it owns or manages, and two accredited child
development centers.
In November, Hopelink hosts two important fundraising events, as well
as a special holiday opportunity for the community to help
less-fortunate neighbors. These events include:
"Reaching Out, Rebuilding Dreams" annual benefit luncheon:
Hopelink's 11th annual benefit luncheon will be Wednesday, Nov. 8, at
Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue. Anna Quindlen, best-selling author,
Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist and social commentator, will serve as
keynote speaker. Quindlen's speech is sure to be thought-provoking and
inspiring, and address the social issues pertinent to Hopelink's
mission. There is no charge to attend the luncheon. To be a table
captain, reserve a seat at the luncheon or be an event sponsor, contact
Brenda Tincher at 425-883-8430 or brendat@hope-link.org.
Turkey Trot fun walk:
Individuals, families and teams are invited to join Hopelink's sixth
annual Turkey Trot fun walk in Kirkland on Sunday, Nov. 19. Last year,
proceeds from Turkey Trot helped Hopelink to distribute food for
holiday meals to more than 2,300 families. The three-mile walk begins
in downtown Kirkland. Participants receive a Hopelink Turkey Trot
T-shirt and, in what has become a popular tradition, are awarded prizes
for the most creative costumes. One year, an entire Girl Scout troop
dressed in Thanksgiving-themed attire. Food donation barrels will be on
hand to collect non-perishable foods.
The entrance fee is $20 for individuals and $15 per person for teams of
four or more. Strollers and pets are free. Pledges are encouraged and
pledges of $100 per participant will be entered in a raffle for prizes.
Turkey Trot registration and personal online fundraising pages are
available online at www.hope-link.org/turkeytrot. More information is available by emailing hopelink@hope-link.org or by calling 425-869-6000.
Holiday Food and Gift Drive:
As the holidays approach, Hopelink will be asking for donations of
food, new toys and clothing, to be distributed in December through its
six food bank locations. In 2005, Hopelink provided holiday gifts to
5,100 low-income children, and expects the demand to grow for this
holiday season. Please visit www.hope-link.org for more information.
Hopelink is one of four Puget Sound organizations featured in ParentMap's 2006 Giving Together
campaign, which supports and promotes agencies that are striving to
improve the lives of families in our community. Other Giving Together
partners include the Foundation for Early Learning, PEPS and Great
Starts.
