Eastside Baby Corner’s annual Help Children Thrive Luncheon on Nov. 4 was a grand success, drawing in 950 attendees at the Meydenbauer Convention Center in Bellevue.

Former First Lady of Washington state, Mona Locke, emceed the event, which raised awareness of Eastside Baby Corner’s efforts to help children and infants in need. The Issaquah nonprofit has been growing every year, and recently filled out its 500,000th documented order.

Last year, Eastside Baby Corner gave out 859,676 diapers, 1,374 car seats and enough baby formula to last 12,759 days. This year, the charity is distributing 1,500 car seats, 400 backpacks, over 8,000 Big Bundles of clothing, books and toys, 38,000 books, 400 bikes, 10,000 baby food meals and over 1 million diapers.

Director of the Department of Early Learning and former Rep. Ross Hunter gave the keynote address at the luncheon. Hunter shared with the attendees statistics that show that “in Washington, the achievement gap [between high and low-income students] has actually gotten bigger” in recent years.

“The stress that happens to kids in poverty actually effects the neurodevelopment of their brains,” Hunter said.

The event drew plenty of Issaquah VIPs, including Issaquah Mayor Fred Butler and Issaquah School District Superintendent Ron Thiele.

Christina Nolan of YWCA Family Village, Head Start, Valerie Stoury of Bellevue School District, Head Start and Senaida Megow of Renton School District, Head Start all shared testimonies of how they personally have witnessed Eastside Baby Corner make a difference in children’s lives.

Locke referenced one 12-year-old in need who had previously owned just two pairs of underwear and barely any properly-fitting clothing before being helped by Eastside Baby Corner. She said that now that he has received plenty of fresh, new clothing, he is able to go to class with confidence and concentrate on his lessons instead of worrying about being judged by his peers.

“What this community does to support our kids, I find heartwarming,” Hunter said.

Issaquah School District Superintendent Ron Thiele was one of the 950 attendees at the luncheon. Nicole Jennings/staff photo

Former First Lady of Washington, Mona Locke, emceed the event. Nicole Jennings/staff photo

Issaquah Mayor Fred Butler was all smiles at the Eastside Baby Corner fundraising event. Nicole Jennings/staff photo

Issaquah Mayor Fred Butler was all smiles at the Eastside Baby Corner fundraising event. Nicole Jennings/staff photo