19th Annual Toys for Kids Winter Gala Raises $700,000 For Children in Need
The 19th Annual Toys for Kids Winter Gala was a record-setting event. More than 500 guests helped raise $700,000, which will be used to buy Christmas toys for more than 11,000 homeless and underserved kids in King County.
The Gala, held on November 16 at the Hyatt Regency in Bellevue, marked Toys For Kids’ largest fundraising effort since it was founded by former Mariners outfielder Dave Henderson and broadcaster Rick Rizzs in 1995.
“We get a chance to play Santa Claus to kids who will be able to receive a toy at Christmas,” Rizzs said. “I can’t thank enough the Seattle Mariners, our sponsors, our director, Heather Jones, and everyone who attended this year’s event for our best auction in 24 years.”
Since 1995, Toys for Kids has made its mission to help make holidays a little brighter for children who are homeless, hospitalized or otherwise in need of a little holiday cheer. Over that time, Toys for Kids has raised over $4 million.
Toys for Kids also presented six $5,000 Dave Henderson Education Scholarships to Puget Sound area high school students on Saturday evening.
Among the more than 500 guests at this year’s event were Mariners left-hander Marco Gonzales, former Mariners Julio Cruz, Charlie Furbush and Bill Krueger, as well as Mariners clubhouse and front office staff, Mariners season ticket holders and fans.
The silent and live auction included numerous pieces of memorabilia signed by some of the biggest names in Seattle sports, as well as the chance to watch a Mariners game from the radio booth with Rizzs and Aaron Goldsmith, an Edgar Martinez Hall of Fame pack, a tour of MLB Network with former Mariner and current TV analyst Harold Reynolds, or win a trip for two to 2020 Spring Training in Peoria, Arizona.
The funds raised by Toys for Kids will benefit around 30 organizations this holiday season, including The Country Doctor, First Place School, Union Gospel Mission, Broadview Women’s Shelter, Fam 1st Family Foundation, YWCA Emergency Housing, Seattle Children’s Home, Harborview Medical Center, Vision House, Hopelink, Atlantic Street Center, the Healing Center and Ronald McDonald House.
