18 March 2014

The Salvation Army Eastside Corps will host its third annual fundraising breakfast on Wednesday, April 16, from 7:30am to 9am, at the Westin Hotel in Bellevue (600 Bellevue Way NE). Money raised at the event will benefit The Salvation Army Eastside programs and services. 

Tony Ventrella will present the keynote address at the breakfast. Mr. Ventrella is Digital Media Host for the Seattle Seahawks and SoundersFC – where he produces and hosts team, community outreach, and corporate partner videos on both teams’ web sites. He is well known for 40-year career in the media – from his days as a sports reporter at the Wilton Bulletin in Connecticut to radio sportscaster and later television anchor in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He continued his television career in Seattle, where he was sports director at KING-5 and KIRO-7 television for 22 years. Today, Mr. Ventrella is popular for his entertaining and inspiring speeches. 

     

Above: King County Councilmember Jane Hague and staff help serve dinner during a recent meal at the Eastside Corps.

King County Councilmember Jane Hague will join the event as emcee. Plus, Northwest Divisional Commander Major Doug Tollerud and Eastside Corps Officer Lieutenant Darryck Dwelle will offer insight to The Salvation Army work on the Eastside. The program will include an update on the programs and services of The Salvation Army on the Eastside, and heart-warming stories about the lives changed by The Army. 

Sponsorship of the event is still available at all levels. Corporations, organizations, and individuals interested in supporting The Salvation Army and the event should contact Lieutenant Darryck Dwelle at (425) 802-9429. Event sponsors receive tickets and prominent seating for the event, and exposure throughout the event. 

Established in 1992, The Salvation Army Eastside Corps continues to be a valuable asset in the community. The programs and services offered each year continue to increase, due to the increase in need in the community. The Eastside location serves the less fortunate neighbors in Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Bothell, and Woodinville. 

     

Among the many programs offered by The Salvation Army is the free community supper. Each night (Monday through Friday), a home-cooked dinner is served at 6:00pm to the homeless, senior citizens, and people living on the edge. Attendance at the supper averages 50 people per day. 

“A warm, home-cooked meal is something many of us take for granted,” said Lieutenant Darryck Dwelle. “Even here in Bellevue, there are many families that need help making ends meet – and coming to us for a nutritious meal helps stretch their grocery budget.”

Among other programs with increased attendance at The Salvation Army Eastside include the after-school homework tutoring, computer lab, and music lessons; summer camps for kids; rent and utility bill assistance; grocery bags of non-perishable foods; personal hygiene kits for the homeless; infant diaper and formula distribution; and Thanksgiving and Christmas meals. 

Individual tickets for the event are available for $100 each. The breakfast fundraising event will begin at 7:30am, and includes a sit-down, plated breakfast. Complimentary three-hour parking is available in the adjacent parking garage.

RSVPs for this event may be emailed to Lieutenant Darryck Dwelle HERE or contact him by phone at 425-802-9429. 

Friends who can’t attend the event, but still wish to make a donation, should send contributions to The Salvation Army, 911 164th Avenue NE, Bellevue, WA, 98008. Or donate online HERE.