If you look up the term 'fairweather' in the dictionary, it means a person who is dependable in good times but not in times of trouble. This definition could not be more false for the women who make up the Bellevue LifeSpring Fairweather Circle—a membership-based volunteer group dedicated to supporting the most vulnerable children in our community.

The Fairweather Circle is one of six Bellevue LifeSpring membership circles, comprised primarily of West Bellevue residents. The circles play a pivotal role in helping the first nonprofit organization established in Bellevue provide stability and self-sufficiency for children from low-income households through programs that provide food, clothing, education, and emergency assistance. In fact, the organization was first started by circle members in Hunts Point more than a century ago to help their neighbors in need.

This past June, the women of Fairweather Circle continued the tradition of neighbors helping neighbors and hosted a dynamic FUNdraiser at the local (and incredibly delicious) Thai Kitchen Bird Pepper restaurant in Bellevue Square. The fundraiser brought together a passionate group of Bellevue residents to build community, raise awareness, and raise funds to help prevent hunger and homelessness for Bellevue children.

The cornerstone of the Fairweather Circle is community building and hands-on support. “When Bellevue LifeSpring needs volunteers in any capacity, Fairweather Circle members are always ready to step up and help,” shared Maggie Vergien, a Fairweather Circle Co-Chair, Bellevue LifeSpring Board Member, and Medina resident. “We love to get creative and bring the community together in unique ways—like booking a lively restaurant venue that allows people to have fun and connect over a good meal and a good cause. We are so grateful to Thai Kitchen Bird Pepper and owner Cindy Gayte for helping us create a memorable experience for our FUNdraiser. Cindy is so wonderful and accommodating.”

The Fairweather Circle’s FUNdraiser treated guests to a unique silent and live auction filled with everything from golf lessons from the University of Washington’s Head Golf Coach Alan Murray to a private wine tasting at local Washington winery Bacovino. Perhaps one of the most exciting parts of the night was when a bidding war arose over one circle member’s famous chicken pot pies, raising a total of $950 per pack of six pies! All in all, the proceeds from the event raised more than $10,000 to support Bellevue kids.

“We are in a pivotal time in our community,” shared Jennifer Fischer, the Executive Director of Bellevue LifeSpring and a Bellevue resident. “There are more than 4,324 Bellevue children experiencing food insecurity and more than 700 children experiencing homelessness in our community. These are the highest numbers on record. Support from our circle members and West Bellevue neighbors is critical to addressing this crisis. Ending poverty in Bellevue starts in our own backyard first, and when we give where we live, we all benefit, especially our children.”

The funds raised will immediately be used to provide emergency rent assistance to Bellevue families on the brink of experiencing homelessness and grocery store food vouchers to families struggling to make ends meet. However, the true impact of an evening like Fairweather’s FUNdraiser is simply immeasurable.

“One of the biggest obstacles Bellevue LifeSpring faces as an organization is that people simply don’t know about the need here in Bellevue,” shared Jennifer. “We live in an incredibly abundant community. People just are not aware that one in four students who attend our public school district, due to no fault of their own, have to experience the pains of economic struggle.”

These experiences—often surrounding a lack of basic needs—can have dire consequences on students’ education, well-being, and future, and, thus, the future of Bellevue. A thriving community needs a rising generation that is also thriving.

Bellevue LifeSpring is grateful to the Fairweather Circle and the West Bellevue community members who work to bring people to the table to learn about and join in the effort to build a better Bellevue. Their dedication and hard work foster a spirit of unity and compassion that strengthens the entire community.

To learn more about Bellevue LifeSpring’s mission, visit www.BellevueLifeSpring.org. To learn more about how you can make a difference and become a Bellevue LifeSpring Circle Member, visit www.BellevueLifeSpring.org/circle-membership.