Local West Bellevue residents Beth McCaw and Julie Cheng Bui are gearing up for Bellevue LifeSpring’s much-anticipated annual gala, Uncork the Night, on October 5th!

Uncork the Night, a celebration of wine and giving, combines Washington wine tastings and auction excitement to raise funds to support the more than 4,324 Bellevue children experiencing food and housing insecurity and the more than 700 children in our community experiencing homelessness. Beth and Julie's leadership will make the gala shine even brighter this year. Both women bring a love of wine, a deep connection to the community, and a dedication to service, making them the perfect co-chairs for this year’s event.

Beth and Julie have served on the Bellevue LifeSpring Board of Directors for many years, contributing their time, resources, and expertise to support the organization's mission to provide stability and self-sufficiency for Bellevue children and families. Beth, who will soon step into the role of Board President, and Julie, who recently concluded her board tenure, have co-chaired Uncork the Night in the past, making this year’s event a homecoming of sorts.

Beth and Julie have known each other longer than they’ve been involved with Bellevue LifeSpring. Both of their husbands work at Valve in Bellevue, and they were both introduced to Bellevue LifeSpring through community building, a core value of the organization. A former colleague invited Beth to Bellevue LifeSpring’s annual luncheon, and it was Beth who shared the opportunity with Julie to join the Bellevue LifeSpring Board of Directors.

Julie moved to Bellevue in 2011 with her husband and two children. “As a family, we enjoy the small/big city feel that Bellevue has. We love supporting local businesses and watching the city grow," she says. Always service-oriented, Julie was looking for ways to get more involved in her new community. “I believe it's important to try to make a positive impact in the community I'm fortunate enough to call home,” shared Julie. “This belief drives my strong desire to support and champion the children and families who live in Bellevue. As a mother of young kids, a person of color, and a Bellevue resident, Bellevue LifeSpring’s mission really resonates with me.”

Beth, who has been part of the West Bellevue community since 2011, echoes this sentiment. "Our philanthropy is broad, but we will always give back to our local community. We believe civic engagement is an important part of living in a community,” she explains. Beth is currently on her second tenure as a board member. “I had more time after retiring from the Washington Women’s Foundation, and it felt like a great time to reengage. I continue to be excited by Executive Director Jennifer Fischer's leadership and the organization’s strong community partnerships," she continues. "The impact Bellevue LifeSpring can make thanks to their close partnership with the Bellevue School District and corporate partners such as Amazon is very valuable.”

This sense of belonging, commitment to equity, and desire to make a positive impact drive both Julie and Beth’s dedication to Bellevue LifeSpring’s mission and motivates them to step up as co-chairs for impactful events like Uncork the Night.

When asked what keeps her coming back to the Uncork the Night leadership table, Julie highlights the joy of community and connection. "I enjoy events and opportunities that bring people together," she enthuses. "Uncork the Night itself is such a fun event, and it's always a joy to work with the amazing individuals involved."

Both Beth and Julie are motivated by the potential for this year’s event to make an even greater impact at a time when the challenges for our community’s most vulnerable children continue to grow. Bellevue LifeSpring has set an ambitious goal to raise $4.8 million this year. Achieving this goal is critical to ensuring the organization can meet the rising need for emergency rent and food support due to factors like the high cost of living and the lack of affordable housing options.

Last year, the organization exceeded its revenue goal, raising $4.2 million, and it’s all thanks to the powerhouse of a community that is Bellevue. “We are all part of this community, and I believe we have to bring all of our resources together to ensure every Bellevue child has the opportunity to thrive. Our community certainly has the capacity to achieve this goal,” said Beth.

Every school in the Bellevue School District has children facing food and housing insecurity. This includes schools in West Bellevue, like Clyde Hill Elementary, Medina Elementary, Chinook Middle School, and Bellevue High School. “These are the schools we drive by every day,” said Beth. “There are families that attend these schools that need the critical support that Bellevue LifeSpring provides.”

Tickets for Uncork the Night are now on sale, and Beth and Julie urge everyone to participate. "We are curating an evening where guests will have fun from the first moment they walk in, to their first taste of incredible wines, to engaging with the winemakers, to a fabulous dinner, to the exclusive auction, and beyond," said Beth.  

Mark your calendars for October 5th and join us at Uncork the Night. By attending, you’ll not only enjoy an evening of fine wines and good company, but you’ll also make a meaningful contribution to preventing hunger and homelessness for children right here in Bellevue. As Julie puts it, "The energy of the night is truly palpable, and there is so much fun infused into the live auction portion of the evening. There is a place for everyone to attend and feel comfortable participating in the evening. I'd love to see the event further strengthen the connection between our community and Bellevue LifeSpring. And, of course, I'd love to break our previous fundraising record!"

Let’s come together as a community and create a ripple effect of positive change that will resonate far beyond the evening. Purchase your tickets today and be part of an unforgettable evening.