01 October 2013

The Northwest Division welcomed actor and comedian Joel McHale for a special event to raise awareness and money for its Women’s Shelter in downtown Seattle. The event – called the “Red Kettle Gala” – featured dinner, silent auction, entertainment, and fundraising on September 28.

Mr. McHale donated his time as emcee for the event again this year. (He emceed a smaller event last year, also to raise money for the women’s shelter.) He grew up on Mercer Island near Seattle and graduated from University of Washington (BA and MFA). Western Washington audiences remember him from a comedy sketch program local TV in the early 1990s. Today, he is the star of NBC’s “Community” and E!’s “The Soup.” His recent films include “Ted” (2012); “What's Your Number?” (2011) opposite Anna Faris; and “The Big Year”(2011) with Steve Martin, Jack Black and Owen Wilson, In 2009, he starred alongside Matt Damon in Steven Soderbergh's comedic thriller “The Informant.” He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two sons. 

This year’s event was larger than last year, with nearly 230 attending. And the new location, Fremont Studios, elevated the evening to an elegant affair. King County Advisory Board member Patsy Pattison produced the event with Divisional employee Bill Kaczaraba. 

Mr. McHale was joined on stage at the Red Kettle Gala by Chris Ballew (star of musical groups Caspar Babypants and Presidents of the United States of America), and The Microsoft Jumpin’ Jive Orchestra.

In addition to dinner and entertainment, the Red Kettle Gala included a silent auction of art created by local artists. Each piece of art began with an item from The Salvation Army Family Thrift Store in Seattle. About 25 artists participated, making one-of-a-kind creations which were auctioned throughout the evening. Three creations were selected as “winners” by a jury and were included in the live auction that night. The esteemed jury included local arts enthusiast Nancy Guppy, gallery owner Greg Kucera, and collector Virginia Wright. 

Among the highlights of the evening was a video testimony of Stacey, a woman who lived at the women’s shelter for three months this year. After spending 60 days in a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program, Stacey had no place to live. A social worker recommended The Salvation Army women’s shelter. Now, after three months, Stacey has transitioned to independent living in a sober home and is looking for employment. She credits The Salvation Army with “saving her life.” After Stacey’s video, Joel McHale led a “raise the paddle” opportunity for guests to make donations to the women’s shelter. 

The Salvation Army Women’s Shelter in downtown Seattle offers a safe place for women to call home – a warm place to sleep, restrooms, laundry facilities, and a kitchen. The women can stay at the shelter for several months, and have support from a caseworker to help transition to independent living. Currently, the shelter operates at full capacity (24 beds). The goal is to increase capacity and help twice as many