Schools

"Launching Lifetime Learning" Benefit Draws Six Figures For Renton Schools

Friends of Renton Schools fundraiser collects $180,000. The money will be used to support academic programs in the Renton School District.

For the second year running, Renton School District supporters opened their wallets and pushed the giving limits to a six-figure sum.

Mary Burton, a volunteer with Friends of Renton Schools, reported this morning that the nonprofit collected $180,000 during last Thursday's benefit breakfast at the Renton Pavilion.

Hundreds of business owners, professionals, city employees, community leaders, education supporters, and local and state politicians — including Mayor Denis Law, State Rep. Marcie Maxwell, and Senator Steve Litzow, among others — got up early and opened their pocketbooks for the event, themed "Launching Lifetime Learning."

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Last year the early morning fundraiser drew $200,000 during its inaugural event, where Bill Gates Sr. was the keynote speaker. The money went to the Renton School District to help maintain programs that impact literacy and math achievement, and to improve graduation rates. 

REI president and CEO Sally Jewell spoke at this year's event and emphasized the importance of outside, hands-on and unstructured play.

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Visit the Friends of Renton Schools web site for more information, or to make a donation. 


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