A highlight of our Inspire Breakfast each year is our Community Awards segment, which honors a business, a community organization, and a volunteer who all share in our vision of a community where ALL children thrive.  This year’s awards were presented by Honorary Chairs Nicole and Clayton Ritter and Encompass Executive Director Nela Cumming.

The John Castle Corporate Partner of the Year award is given to a business in honor of Dr. John Castle, a long-time Encompass Board and emeritus board member until his passing in 2017.  John’s passion was in helping staff develop new business initiatives, including the Encompass Pediatric Therapy clinic, which has helped thousands of children with high-quality, innovative pediatric therapies. This clinic evolved into the new purpose-built Child Development Center in Snoqualmie

We are pleased to honor Heritage Bank as our John Castle Corporate Partner of the Year.

Sandy Ramsey and her team at Heritage Bank have been champions of Encompass for 12 years. As our relationship manager, Sandy has a gift for navigating the complexities of a large banking institution while keeping the needs of our organization front and center. Her dedication is a reflection of something bigger — a bank that genuinely invests in the success of its nonprofit partners.

Heritage Bank’s support of Encompass runs deep. Their financial partnership helped make the construction of our Child Development Center possible through thoughtful financial planning, and they consistently help us secure the best available rates and nonprofit pricing.

But their commitment doesn’t stop at banking. Year after year, Heritage Bank has been a steadfast partner—generously sponsoring events, strengthening our community, and contributing to the sense of connection we’re celebrating this morning. And I especially want to recognize Sandy Ramsey—Sandy serves on our Board of Directors and plays a key role on the Board Finance Committee. Sandy, thank you for your years of steady leadership, thoughtful guidance, and care for this organization. Sandy’s retiring this spring, which is so well deserved, and we’re thrilled she’ll be staying on our Board.

We’re truly grateful for the long, trust-filled relationship Heritage Bank—and Sandy—have built with us, and for the many ways they continue to strengthen Encompass.

Encompass is proud to recognize Feed Kiddos as our Community Partner of the Year.

Feed Kiddos is a non-profit organization providing food for children in the Snoqualmie Valley facing food insecurity when away from school on holidays, breaks, and weekends. Their dedicated volunteers organize donations, pack food, and work with many schools to deliver food bags where needed.

Through their partnership with Encompass, Feed Kiddos ensures that every child enrolled in our Early Childhood Education and Assistance Education Program (ECEAP) preschool receives a food bag to take home each week. It may sound simple, but the impact is profound. For families navigating uncertainty — especially over weekends and school closures — these bags provide something essential: nourishing food and the quiet reassurance that their community is behind them.

What makes this partnership so special is the joy woven into it. Children light up when they discover new, healthy meals and snacks in their bags, proudly carrying them home to share with their families. In those small moments, Feed Kiddos is sending a message that goes far beyond food — that these children are supported, seen, and valued.

At Encompass, we believe that strong communities are built through partnerships like this one, where a shared commitment to children’s well-being translates into real, everyday impact. Feed Kiddos lives that commitment week in and week out, and we are grateful for their generosity and their heart.

We are honored to celebrate Sarah Demopoulos and Brenda Freudenberg as our Volunteers of the Year.

Sarah Demopoulos has served as both an outreach ambassador and a classroom volunteer since 2024, bringing reliability, warmth, and joy to every space she enters. Watching her in the classroom, engaging with children on the floor and playing games, it’s clear she’s exactly where she belongs. She takes the time and care to build connections with children and staff alike. On the playground one day, a child asked, “Where’s my best friend?” When asked who that was, the child smiled, pointed at Sarah, and ran straight toward her. This exemplifies why Sarah is more than a helping hand. She builds relationships that help make our children, families, and community feel connected and supported.

Brenda Freudenberg has been volunteering with us since 2024, giving more than 100 hours of steady, dependable support at the Early Learning Center. She is the behind-the-scenes force who makes our work possible, jumping in wherever she is needed most—even when that means chopping onions and cleaning plates. Thanks to Brenda, our Early Learning team can plan more complex, healthy, and delicious lunches, helping fuel children for growth and allowing staff to focus on what they do best. Her consistency and excellence have strengthened our entire program.

Congratulations to our partners of the year, and thank you for your generosity in our shared vision of a community where ALL children thrive!