On Saturday, October 17th, nearly 500 members of our community came together for Sneakers & Sparkle, Boys & Girls Clubs of King County’s 2026 Great Futures Gala & Auction. Together, they raised $2,014,532 for Club kids across King County, and that number is still growing as gifts continue to come in.

It was a night of sneakers, sequins, and a whole lot of heart. Here’s a look at what made it so special, and how you can still be part of it.

The energy. The room was buzzing from the moment the doors opened. Guests showed up decked out in sneakers and so much sparkle, and the laughter didn’t stop all night.

Local Champions. Our event was an exclusive stop on the World Champion Seattle Seahawks’ Trophy Tour. Several Seahawks players, past and present, joined the celebration and attendees lined up for professional photos with the trophy.

Club kids at the center. Stories from one of our Club families and a few of our staff members reminded everyone why we do this work. Every dollar raised that night goes toward giving kids and teens a safe, positive place to learn and grow.

A room that leaned in. From the games and spin wheel to the live auction, guests gave generously all evening. The night also included a remarkable gift that will help us reach even more kids and teens in Kent.

Watch the moments that moved the room.
These are the videos we shared during the program. We hope they inspire you as much as they inspired everyone in the room.

• Our Club Family
• Staff Spotlight: Eric and Denise
• A Message from President & CEO Lori Bae

A complete album of photos from the evening is available here.

A night like this takes a village. We’re deeply grateful to our Gala Chair, Yannick Mathews, and Vice Chair, Teri Schomalier, for their leadership. Thank you also to our Board of Directors and Community Advisory Boards, our generous sponsors, and the volunteers who made the evening run smoothly.

And to everyone who attended, bid, gave, or cheered us on from afar: thank you for being part of this community.

There’s still time to add your support. Every gift helps more kids and teens find a safe, positive place to learn and grow. Make a gift to Club kids across King County here.

See the impact firsthand. The best way to understand what Clubs mean to kids is to visit one. Contact Marissa at mcage@positiveplace.org to schedule a Club tour.

We can’t wait to see you at next year’s gala!

With the deepest gratitude,
Your friends at Boys & Girls Clubs of King County

P.S. Double your impact. Many employers match their employees’ charitable gifts. Check with your company to see if your gift qualifies. You’ll need our Tax ID: 91-0532600.