Last month, our Bellevue LifeSpring Youth Council organized a successful 5k Run and Walk that raised awareness and funds to fight hunger for local children and families.
Our Youth Council is made up of an inspiring group of local high school student volunteers. They dedicate time throughout the year to support our mission to foster stability and self-sufficiency for Bellevue’s children and families.
Our Youth Council never fails to devise fun and creative ways to make a difference. In the past, they’ve planned a drive-in movie night fundraiser, a winter ball fundraiser, and have collected coins to help fight hunger. The recent 5k Run and Walk at Marymoor Park was their second 5k event. The first was held in 2019 and was put on hold for two years due to the pandemic.
“We have done other events in the past targeted to teens, but we wanted to have an event open to all members of our community,” shared Youth Council Co-Chair and Newport High School Student Ava Chen. “Our goal for the 5k is for it to be a fun event that brings the community together while helping feed families in Bellevue.”
Over 130 community members participated, along with many great local businesses. The event was a big success, raising a total of $7,000 for Bellevue LifeSpring! These funds will help provide grocery store food vouchers for local students from low-income households and their families.
“It was heartwarming to see community members coming together and supporting our neighbors in need,” shared Bellevue LifeSpring Executive Director Jennifer Fischer. “The fact is every school in the Bellevue School District has students who are experiencing food insecurity. It’s inspiring to see our Youth Council members take the initiative to support their peers.”
On the event day, you could feel the excitement in the air. Participants were excited to be taking part in an activity that not only benefited their health but also benefited the health of their neighbors and local children.
Bellevue Orange Theory instructors conducted an invigorating warm-up, and local juice shop, Pressed provided fresh juices to help fuel the participants. Local businesses, Coca-Cola, Fabletics, John Reed Fitness, KidsQuest Children’s Museum, Mercurys Coffee Co., MOD Pizza, Novasys, and Viome also showed their support of Bellevue children and contributed to the event.
Youth Council Co-Chairs Avanya Kohli and Ava Chen lead the way in coordinating this year’s 5k. Avanya, a Bellevue High School Student, shared, “I feel accomplished that all the hard work we put in for months and all the preparation behind the scenes finally came to life on the day of the event. Seeing the Bellevue LifeSpring Youth Council, volunteers, and participants come together to make this event successful really showed the meaning of community support.”
Ava shared, “It was great to see so many people come out to support Bellevue LifeSpring. We are thankful for all the volunteers, sponsors, and participants who made the 5k possible. It took a lot of work to put together the event, but it is a rewarding feeling to know that all of our efforts go towards helping Bellevue families.”
Are you a local high school student, or do you know a high school student interested in joining the Bellevue LifeSpring Youth Council? Fill out the form on www.BellevueLifeSpring.org/Join, and a Bellevue LifeSpring Youth Council Member will be in touch with the next steps!
