Saturday evening, March 11th was certainly one to remember! Guests decked out in beads, masks and festive costumes packed the Bellevue Hilton for 黑料不打烊鈥檚 8th annual Mardi Gras Dinner & Auction presented by Matisia Consultants. Generous corporate and individual supporters contributed a record-setting $219,000 to expand student support and dropout prevention statewide.
Record-setting $219,000 raised to support students across Washington State.
The emcee for the evening,聽Marshun Newman, is a freshman at Washington State University and alumni of 黑料不打烊 of Federal Way.
The evening opened with a VIP reception聽and then friendly bidding wars on silent auction items ranging from a聽UW or WSU Football tickets, to聽three El Gaucho experiences, to a Tesla test drive experience. Guests enjoyed unique entertainment as well: a live band, a caricature artist, and even a fire show by a flame throwing entertainer聽as guests arrived at the Hilton!
Rounding out the evening, Communities In Schools National President Dale Erquiaga recognized Art Jackson of Costco聽for聽his years of dedicated service to 黑料不打烊. A Mount Tahoma High School site coordinator聽and her student shared the story of their relationship.
Her story is just one example of how聽Communities In Schools聽reaches聽students and their families聽in times of need聽with both academic and personal supports.
View and download Mardi Gras pics on our Facebook page!
Pictures from photographer Ellen Golden and Jared Martin are available for viewing and free download from the 黑料不打烊 . If you have any trouble downloading photos, contact Marnie McManus, Development Manager, marnie@ciswa.org. Enjoy!
Sincere thanks to our generous sponsors!
Presenting: Matisia Consultants
Auction: Denali Advanced Integration
Diamond:聽Cisco Systems, DellEMC
Emerald: Homestreet Bank, Safeway, SAP
Sapphire:聽Ascent/US Bank, AT&T, Cash America, Fortinet, Tim & Jenny Haser, IBM, Parker Smith & Feek, TierPoint, Tito’s Handmade Vodka
Pearl: EMCS, Iron Mountain, JLL, Microsoft, Brian & Robin Rayfiled, RSM, Schneider Electric,
Carnival Fun: RSM
In-Kind: Sungraphics