Pictured above, left to right: Beth McCaw, Beth Halvorsen and Julie Cheng Bui take on the roles of event co-chairs for Uncork the Night 2018. Photo by Cecile Miller Photography.
If you’ve been to Uncork the Night, you already know it’s a fantastic, fun-filled evening jam-packed with friends, food and fine wine. There are tastings, auctions, dancing and more – all in support of Bellevue kids. This year, Bellevue LifeSpring is making their biggest event even better by adding a few new elements… including three new event co-chairs!
Bellevue LifeSpring is happy to announce that Julie Cheng Bui, Beth Halvorsen and Beth McCaw will be our event co-chairs for this year’s Uncork the Night on October 13, 2018. All three are dedicated Bellevue LifeSpring board members, philanthropists and community leaders, committed to creating an incredible evening for Uncork the Night guests.
Why did you decide to co-chair this year’s Uncork the Night?
Beth Halvorsen: The success of Uncork the Night is critical to the organization – raising awareness of the tremendous need in Bellevue for children and their families living in poverty, and raising the funds to support the cause is an important aspect of serving the community.
Beth McCaw: Events like Uncork the Night raise awareness about the economic and educational disparities that exist in communities that otherwise appear to be uniformly affluent. It’s an opportunity to educate our neighbors and engage them in directly addressing these issues.
Julie Cheng Bui: I decided to chair this year’s auction because I felt that I could use my passion for Bellevue LifeSpring’s mission and my previous event management experience to contribute, even if a little, to Uncork the Night’s success. Beth and Beth are two really phenomenal women, and I knew that I would learn a lot from them by working with them on this year’s event.
All funds raised at Uncork the Night support Bellevue LifeSpring programs that help children experiencing hunger, homelessness and poverty.
Why do you think it’s important to support Bellevue LifeSpring?
Beth Halvorsen: Since moving to Bellevue from Boston in 2012, our family has supported Bellevue LifeSpring – whether gathering items for the pantry, adopting families for the holidays or donating clothing to the Thrift Culture – because they’re serving a huge need right here in our community.
Beth McCaw: As Eastside residents, our family is committed to investing in effective community-based organizations, like Bellevue LifeSpring. Bellevue LifeSpring is a trusted partner of Bellevue Public Schools and has a long track record of looking for solutions that respect the dignity of the students being served.
Julie Cheng Bui: While there is a plethora of great organizations to support and be involved with, I think Bellevue LifeSpring stands out from the crowd because of their very local work in our community. As a mother to two school-aged children in Bellevue, I greatly value and appreciate the work that Bellevue LifeSpring does for students in our community.
Where else can you help taste wines from around the world, bid on incredible experiences AND help end hunger, homelessness and poverty for local kids? There’s something for everyone at Uncork the Night – including our event co-chairs!
What’s your favorite part of Uncork the Night?
Beth McCaw.: Seeing bid cards raised high and repeatedly!
Beth Halvorsen: I love the wine tasting – so many unique varieties, and it’s always paired with great food!
Julie Cheng Bui: My favorite part of Uncork the Night is the energy in the room during the Fund-A-Need portion of the live auction. It makes me feel grateful to be part of a community that passionately and enthusiastically supports its neighbors. The after-party and dancing are pretty fun too!
What are you excited for this year?
Beth Halvorsen: This year we are changing it up a bit – adding assigned seating so everyone can share the evening with their friends, and have a place to sit and participate in the live auction! We’ve also got incredible decor – it’s going to be gorgeous!
Beth McCaw: I’m excited about the possibility of engaging more neighbors in the work of Bellevue LifeSpring. Last year, I met someone
who had grown up in Bellevue, and when we started talking about my community involvement, he suddenly realized that his mother had been a long-time volunteer for Overlake Service League. He didn’t realize that Overlake Service League had become Bellevue LifeSpring. Once he did, he became a next generation supporter!
Julie Cheng Bui: I’m excited about our amazing auction items this year, both silent and live. The team has worked hard to provide a fantastic variety of items for everyone to bid on at the event. Of course, I’m also excited to experience the new event format this year, with dedicated seating, combined silent auction and wine tasting area and revamped VIP experience.
Our co-chairs can’t wait to show you what else they have in store for this year’s Uncork the Night! Buy your ticket today to join us for this top-flight night of wining, dining and making a difference. Tickets and more information on Uncork the Night are available now.
