For immediate release 5/27/20

Master of Ceremonies Chris Cashman shows off his Encompass gear while event attendees chat on the sidebar during the event

North Bend, WA – The Encompass Rise & Thrive Breakfast had a new location this year: the internet. On May 19th, the Snoqualmie Valley community came together virtually to raise over $112,000 in support of Encompass programs for children and families. Over 140 guests logged on from across the country to enjoy a program including an awards presentation, a keynote address on the importance of early childhood intervention, and two families’ stories of finding the support they needed at Encompass. For those who missed the live event, you can view the full program on YouTube here.

Lorna Stern (left) of Pioneer Van Lines and Keri Bailey (right) of ABC World Movers received the John Castle Corporate Partner of the Year Award

KING 5’s Chris Cashman led the festivities for the fourth year in a row, taking his hosting duties virtual this year. Encompass Executive Director Nela Cumming came on to talk about how Encompass has been supporting families during COVID-19 and to present this year’s Encompass partner awards. The John Castle Corporate Partner of the Year Award went to Lorna Stern of Pioneer Van Lines and Keri Bailey of ABC World Movers. Stern and Bailey have been Encompass supporters for many years both as corporate sponsors and individual supporters, and Bailey is an Emeritus Board Member. The Community Partner of the Year Award went to the Supportive Community for All Partner Team: Hopelink, the Snoqualmie Valley Community Network, the Mt. Si Senior Center, and the Snoqualmie Valley Food Bank.

Keynote Speaker Dr. Rebecca Partridge of Virginia Mason shared her personal story

Keynote speaker Rebecca Partridge, MD, spoke next about the importance of early intervention in a child’s development. Dr. Partridge shared stories of her personal early intervention journey with her son, Josh, who has Down Syndrome. She also shared her professional perspective on early intervention and how it can be instrumental to a child’s development. “As a physician,” she says, “I have a wave of relief wash over me when I meet a family from Issaquah, Sammamish, North Bend, because I know Encompass is there.”

The Lenderman Family shared how they have benefitted from Encompass Birth to Three Early Intervention services

After Dr. Partridge’s heartwarming speech, two families shared what their experience with Encompass programs has meant to them. The Lendermans described how they got started with Encompass Birth to Three Early Intervention: “We had a birth diagnosis with Nova of Down Syndrome, and at just seven weeks old, a team came into our home, and I can truly say that it was the first time in seven weeks that I felt like people were advocating for her; instead of warning us of what could be, it was excitement about her future and what she could achieve.” The Hansen Family talked about their experiences with Toddler Groups, Birth to Three Early Intervention, Preschool, and Summer Camps at Encompass. “We don’t know where we would be without Encompass,” said Jenna Hansen, “and we just want to thank everybody for being there and continuing to be there for us.”

The community was invited to share their breakfast pictures in support of Encompass using #RiseWithEncompass

The 2020 Rise & Thrive Virtual Breakfast would not have been possible without the support of 24 local sponsors: Heritage Bank, Hutt Construction Inc., and Nintendo; Abbott Construction, Banner Bank, OAC, and Virginia Mason; CNR Inc., GK Knutson, Lund Opsahl, Overlake Medical Center, Reliance Fire Protection, Snoqualmie Springs School, and Weaver Financial; Commercial Technician Services, Eastside Psychological Associates, Edward Jones, Elite Services and Support, The Goddard School, Goldsmith Land Development Services, Huntington Learning Center of North Bend, Pat L Bohan, CPA, Pioneer Coffee Roasting Company, and Technical Glass Products.

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