Bellevue LifeSpring is constantly inspired by our community of passionate supporters. With a dedicated and generous community by our side, we will prevent hunger and homelessness for the thousands of Bellevue children in need.
Today, we would like to express our deepest gratitude for the support and leadership of longtime Bellevue community members and new Bellevue LifeSpring donors, Craig Chapman and Matt Bishop. They have generously invested $50,000 into the wellbeing of Bellevue children. Craig and Matt, who invested their first $25,000 before the COVID-19 crisis hit, decided to double their investment after reading about the detrimental effects this outbreak was having on Bellevue families living in poverty.
Their investment could not come at a better time, as the coronavirus has caused an unprecedented spike in need for food and rent assistance. Craig and Matt shared, “This epidemic is the most serious threat to the general public in our lifetimes. It has caused tremendous dislocation in every aspect of a family’s life, including food, shelter and school. Bellevue LifeSpring provides essential support for food and rent needed by families affected.”
In an inspiring act of leadership, Craig and Matt decided to utilize $25,000 of their investment to launch a challenge to ensure no child experiences homelessness as a result of this crisis. The challenge was accepted by the Bellevue LifeSpring circle members to raise $200,000 by May 31. These funds will go directly to preventing evictions for thousands of Bellevue families in the coming months.
Our circle members have taken this challenge and run with it! So far, they have raised $112,000 toward their $200,000 goal! These fundraising results speak to the caring and incredible generosity of our circle membership, particularly as the COVID-19 crisis impacts the livelihoods of our most vulnerable community members.
My Why: Live Local, Give Local
Craig Chapman and Matt Bishop are both retired from their previous work in the financial sector. Before moving to Washington, they lived in Tampa Florida. While Craig was working as the President of the Consumer Finance Group for Washington Mutual, both he and Matt felt they had an obligation to give back to the community.
Craig identified a local elementary school in need and worked with the University of South Florida and fellow business partners to completely modernize the school. They installed computers in every classroom and built a brand-new computer lab! This project would serve as a launching point for Craig and Matt’s philanthropic efforts.
After moving to Bellevue, they fell in love with the community and have made it their home for the past 20 years. Everyone has a story or a “why” when they decide to give back. Craig and Matt believe that when giving back and making an impact, it’s essential to do so first for those in need in their own backyard. In fact, it was their give local philosophy that attracted them to invest in Bellevue LifeSpring.
Bellevue LifeSpring’s long-term standing as a community-focused organization and our unique relationship with the Bellevue School District inspired Craig and Matt to invest their resources in our work. They wholeheartedly believe in our philosophy of preventing poverty at its source by ensuring a child has their basic needs met. “The most important work Bellevue LifeSpring does is supporting and stabilizing a child’s life, which in turn provides better education with the hope of breaking the cycle of poverty,” shared Craig and Matt.
Right now the world can feel overwhelming and scary for all of us. The generosity of our community members gives us hope and reveals how if we work together, we can help Bellevue families persevere through this unprecedented time.
We invite you to join our circle members and take part in preventing hunger and homelessness for Bellevue kids today.
