Bellevue Rotary "Opening Doors to Brighter Futures"

Karen, Cathi, Chuck, Ken

Tonight we attended the Bellevue Rotary Club Gala and Auction at the Meydenbauer Center as guests of Rotarian Richard Herzberg and wife, Marilyn.  Richard is a Past President of the Bellevue Rotary and Marilyn is Director of Programming for Bellevue Lifespring.  Tonight's event was planned to raise funds to support the children and families served by Bellevue Lifespring as well as all the other children and families served by Bellevue Rotary in the local and international community.

Keri Stout on the Right

Bellevue Lifespring (formerly know as Overlake Service League) is a fixture in the community and is celebrating its 100th year in existence.  Its mission is to promote stability, self-sufficiency and independence for those in need in the Bellevue community through programs that feed, clothe, shelter and educate.

We arrived in time to talk with people during the cocktail hour and silent auction and enjoyed visiting with James & Julie Sun, Stephen Hilbert, Blaise Bouchand, Phyllis Campbell, Jan & Dennis Conrad and local YMCA Executive Director and Bellevue Rotarian, Keri Stout. Once we were seated for the dinner at the Herzberg table, in addition to Marilyn and Richard, we were pleased to be seated with Stan & Tere Foster and Brad & Valerie Berg along with good friends, Karen & Chuck Lytle.

Richard Herzberg with other past presidents on stage

There were 29 live auction items including a "Burgers, Bratwurst, Beer & Babes" item to be held in Keri Stout's backyard, a dinner to be prepared by past Bellevue Rotary presidents including Richard, and a private French dinner to be prepared by Maison de France owner, Blaise Bouchand.

Blaise Bouchard on stage

Brad & Valerie Berg

Since Ken wasn't ready to forsake his walking stick and stay for dancing after the auction, we departed just as the auction ended and he was home in his chair in front of the television with the dog cuddling on his lap by 10:00 pm.