Nicole’s Giving Story

Guest Blog Post by Nicole Griswold “Uh oh,” I answered dramatically. Lance looked over at me and dropped another ball to see if I would respond once more. It was an early December morning in 2013, with Christmas just around the corner. I had been caring for him for nearly a year, and he was … Read Now

A Special Season: The Impact of Holiday Adopt-A-Family

“Holiday Adopt-A-Family is something I look forward to every year. Shopping for a family that would otherwise go without, seeing the expressions on the faces of the families when they come to pick up their gifts – both make the season a special one each year.” – Joan, Holiday Adopt-A-Family Sponsor The Strain of the … Read Now

Summer Signups: A Look at the Year Ahead

Summers at Bellevue LifeSpring are a busy time. Families in need are looking ahead to the coming school year and holiday season when their tight budgets will be stretched for new jackets and backpacks, holiday meals and gifts under the tree. During the summer, these families meet with Bellevue LifeSpring staff to sign up for … Read Now

Creating Transformational Change: Stories from Bellevue LifeSpring’s Luncheons

Over 3,600 kids in Bellevue live in poverty. In the Bellevue School District, 18% of students are at risk of hunger. Approximately 200 children are homeless. The stories behind these shocking numbers are what bring them to life. Stories of families facing unimaginable loss, building new lives and overcoming the cycle of poverty. Bellevue LifeSpring’s … Read Now

New Country, New Community, New Start

New Country Maya’s year has been a stressful one, emigrating from her native Syria, navigating the U.S. immigration system and trying to establish a home for her family. She took a job working part time at a local department store as she waited to be reunited with her family. For the first part of the … Read Now

A Sponsor’s Story: Holiday Adopt-A-Family™

Erin and Eric LaFrance

By Erin LaFrance For many, the holiday season is a time for celebration. For families living in poverty, the extra expense of the holidays can be a burden. Bellevue LifeSpring’s Holiday Adopt-A-Family™ program matches sponsors with families in need to help ease the financial stress of the holiday season. Sponsors provide food, clothing and gifts … Read Now

Christmas in July: Summer Signups at Bellevue LifeSpring

Summer is one of the busiest times of year for our programs and services team. During July and August, they’ll interview nearly 300 families during signups for our Clothes-4-Kids™ and Holiday Adopt-A-Family™ programs. In the past, these summer signups have been held in rented and borrowed spaces. This year, thanks to our new office, we … Read Now

Blue Fridays with Bellevue LifeSpring

Thrift Culture volunteers with the 12th Man Flag

There’s a reason that the Seattle area is known as the “home of the 12s.” On December 2, 2013, Seattle Seahawks fans broke the record for loudest roar at a sports stadium after thunderous cheers registered 137.6 dbA at Centurylink Field. Since then, the Seattle Seahawks have continued into the post season five consecutive years and … Read Now

More Than Gifts – Holiday Adopt-A-Family 2016

The energy in the lobby of First United Methodist Church is palpable – even at 7 a.m. on the Tuesday before Christmas. Volunteers armed with carts wait expectantly for sponsors to arrive so they can help unload their cars and deliver gifts to one of 283 folding chairs marked with a name and a number. … Read Now

Your Gift to a Local Family

Jackson, 15, and his sister Emma, 10, both attend Bellevue public schools. Jackson loves to play basketball. Emma plays basketball as well, but her true loves are art and writing. They also have an incredibly resilient mother, Alison. When asked what her biggest challenge had been over the past year, Alison smiled through her tears … Read Now