Issaquah Schools Foundation executive director Robin Callahan thanked all the women in attendance at the May 9 “Nourish Every Mind” luncheon for walking several blocks in heels.

That’s because parking was at a premium around the Issaquah Community Center as 1,250 guests showed up for the annual fundraising event. The foundation exceeded its goal, raising $681,000, $4,000 more than its goal. Development director Lynn Juniel said she expects the number to climb.

The Issaquah High School Jazz Band played music outside welcoming everyone, and the Maywood Middle School sixth-grade choir sang the national anthem.

Callahan said the foundation works to remove obstacles by creating new curriculum and providing grants for programs that otherwise would not be possible.

Swedish Hospital and Microsoft each donated $15,000 for the event and were recipients of the Golden Apple Award for their generosity. Juniel said last year Microsoft donated over $100,000 in matching funds to the foundation. Port Blakely Communities also were given thanks for its generous contributions to the foundation.

A particularly special moment was the recognition of Liberty High School senior Hewan Solomon, who has been accepted to the Foster School of Business thanks to help from her VOICE mentor, who helped her with her college essays. The VOICE mentoring program pairs community volunteers with students in need of academic and/or personal support. The mentors meet with students for one hour per week throughout the year.

With so much emphasis on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) a new movement is in the works to call it STEAM – the “A” standing for arts.

ISF hopes to create a $100,000 per year fine-arts fund for secondary band, orchestra, choir, drama and visual arts on a rotating basis.

All of the attendees received a swag-bag along with lunch and a decadent assortment of dessert goodies.

To learn more about the foundation visit www.isfdn.org.