The special summer dinner was a ticketed experience auctioned off at the local One Circle's One Heart/One Community, A Party with a Purpose, earlier this year. One Circle is a volunteer membership group of the local nonprofit Bellevue LifeSpring, whose mission is to break the cycle of poverty for Bellevue children and students, and provide them with the resources they need to reach stability. 

The evening, which raised more than $50,000 for Bellevue LifeSpring, was hosted by West Bellevue community member and One Circle Member Schanon Ataee and her husband, Tony, along with supporting hosts, One Circle Member Trish Carpenter and her husband, Collin, and Bellevue LifeSpring Board Member Val Parrish and her husband, Jerry.

Schanon and Tony transformed their waterfront home into an unforgettable gathering place where generosity, hospitality, and community came together with a shared purpose. For Tony and Schanon, hosting wasn't a hard decision. "We really enjoy entertaining and love Bellevue LifeSpring's mission, so it felt like the perfect opportunity," Schanon said. "We wanted our guests to feel welcome and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime meal.”

That meal came together lakeside in a private oasis, courtesy of one of the region's most celebrated chefs. Guests savored Wagyu BBQ, grilled seasonal vegetables, and oysters, paired with wine donated by EFESTĒ, all curated by Chef Ethan Stowell himself. Chef Stowell has spent years building a reputation not just for exceptional food, but for showing up for causes that matter, and this evening was no exception. When Schanon reached out, she shared that he didn't hesitate before saying yes. "Ethan made an absolutely perfect meal. Having a chef of his caliber involved really helped us make this event a huge success. We truly could not thank him enough for donating his time and expertise,” Schanon shared. 

This fall, Chef Stowell brings his talents to the Eastside with the opening of Lime Social Margarita Co. in Kirkland's Village at Totem Lake, a project many locals are already looking forward to.

Beyond the meal itself, this creative fundraising evening showcased the heart of One Circle, a dynamic community of women who come together to raise funds, volunteer, and champion Bellevue LifeSpring's mission on behalf of local children experiencing poverty. "I joined a Bellevue LifeSpring Circle because I thought it was a great opportunity to meet women in our community who have a generous spirit," shared Schanon. "Bellevue LifeSpring has added joy to my life, and giving to others is a priority for all of our One Circle community." Through creative events, meaningful friendships, and a shared commitment to making a difference, One Circle continues to demonstrate the extraordinary impact of collective generosity. 

Supporting host and fellow One Circle member Trish Carpenter reflected on what she hoped guests would take away from the evening: "A sense of belonging to a community of like-minded people who truly care about the children and families here in Bellevue that are facing food and housing insecurity."

That spirit of showing up—for neighbors, for children, and for one another—is what made this evening so much more than an exceptional meal. It was a reminder that when a community gathers around a shared purpose, generosity becomes something even more meaningful.