On November 14th, Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue (BGCB) hosted its 2024 Friends Breakfast at Hidden Valley Fieldhouse for a morning of community and inspiration. The event raised over $175,000 to provide scholarships for youth to attend their clubs. The breakfast, emceed by sports broadcaster Jenn Mueller, featured a panel of basketball legends who spoke about the importance of teamwork, community, and BGCB’s impact on youth.

Lenny Wilkens, a three-time Basketball Hall of Fame inductee and Seattle sports icon, spoke on the importance of having role models growing up and how his own shaped his future. He was joined by Jack Sikma, the Hall of Famer who led the Seattle SuperSonics to their 1979 NBA championship. Sikma shared, “Life is more fun and rewarding when you can connect with people. This place (BGCB) is a testament to that.”

Luke Sikma, a former club kid from Bellevue and professional basketball player in Europe, credited BGCB with building his confidence and leadership skills. “Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue is that place in the community that helps build confident individuals,” he said. Also on the panel was Spencer Hawes, a former NBA player from Seattle. He highlighted the value of mentorship and the need to support the next generation of leaders.

A 10-year-old youth speaker and club member shared his personal experience with BGCB, emphasizing the club’s positive impact on his life. Following on stage, BGCB President & CEO Tim Motts spoke about the way BGCB brings us together and, with the support of the community, can change the lives of the next generation. Motts also recognized the passing of a lifelong club advocate and friend, Jim Voelker, who truly embodied BGCB’s mission and changed the lives of countless youth.

The event honored Perkins Coie as BGCB’s Partner of the Year, recognizing the law firm’s unwavering support to BGCB throughout the years. Further support for the event came from sponsors including Amazon; Costco Wholesale; Nintendo; Perkins Coie; The Pokémon Company International; T-Mobile; BizX; Bungie Foundation; Manini's LLC; Swire Coca-Cola, USA; Seattle Mariners; State Representatives Tana Senn and Kevin Flaherty; Evergreen Gavekal; Foushée; Fuse; Jones Lang LaSalle IP, LLC; The Williams Family; U.S. Bank; and Washington Trust Bank.

The 2024 Friends Breakfast underscored the lasting impact of BGCB on the Bellevue community. It was a powerful reminder of how, together, we can support the youth of today and shape the adults of tomorrow.

Interested in being a part of the impact? Visit bgcbellevue.org today.