Where
11100 Northeast 6th StreetBellevue, Washington 98004
How
When
31st Annual Reaching Out Celebration
Evening Schedule
- Doors open: 4:30 p.m.
- Check-in, light refreshments & networking
- Program: 5:30–6:30 p.m.
- Dinner will be provided
- Post Event: 6:30–7:30 p.m.
- Meet & Greet with Rick Steves
About Reaching Out
We’re pleased to announce the featured speaker for Hopelink’s 31st annual Reaching Out Celebration: Rick Steves.
Since 1995, the Reaching Out Celebration has brought community members from across our region together in support of a shared vision, a community free of poverty. As Hopelink’s premier fundraising event, this evening plays a critical role in raising both awareness and support for our work.
This year’s program will feature powerful stories from individuals who have turned to Hopelink in times of need, along with a deeper look at our unique approach to serving the community. At a time of extraordinary need, this event helps bring critical resources to families across our region.
We’re honored to welcome Rick Steves to this year’s celebration. His lifelong commitment to broadening perspectives, strengthening communities, and supporting causes that create meaningful change aligns deeply with Hopelink’s mission. His voice will help underscore what’s possible when people show up for one another, both locally and around the world.
We look forward to sharing more general registration and Table Captain details soon!
More About our Featured Speaker, Rick Steves:
Rick Steves is a popular public television host, a best selling guide book author, and an outspoken activist who encourages Americans to broaden their perspectives through travel. He is the founder and owner of Rick Steves’ Europe, a travel business with a small-group tour program that brings more than 30,000 people to Europe annually. Rick lives and works in his hometown of Edmonds, Washington, where his office window overlooks his junior high school.
Widely considered America’s leading authority on European travel, Rick Steves produces a best-selling series of guidebooks and is the author of Travel as a Political Act. He is dedicated to providing all Americans with access to travel information.
A longtime supporter of public broadcasting, he produces and hosts public television and radio shows that air nationwide. Rick is the founder and owner of Rick Steves’ Europe (RSE), a travel business with more than 100 full-time employees. RSE operates a successful small-group tour program, bringing more than 30,000 people to Europe annually. The company also contributes each year to a portfolio of climate-smart nonprofits, essentially paying a self-imposed carbon tax.
Registration is open!
Questions?
Contact RSVP@hopelink.org or call (425)-897-3703
To see photos from last year’s event, click here.
Frequently Asked Questions
The 31st annual Reaching Out Celebration is the return of Hopelink’s premier fundraising event, formerly known as Reaching Out Luncheon. Since 1995, this heartwarming gathering has raised millions of dollars for Hopelink’s programs, impacting thousands of lives across North and East King County.
This event takes place in person at the Meydenbauer Center in downtown Bellevue. Registration is required. General registration will open on Thursday, Aug 6.
You can register by clicking the “Register Now!” button above, emailing rsvp@hopelink.org, or calling (425)-897-3703.
If seats are available on the day of the event, they will be assigned through walk-up registration on a first-come, first-served basis
Meydenbauer Center is an ADA-compliant venue. Elevators and escalators are on the building’s north and south sides. Volunteers will be stationed throughout the parking garage and entrances to guide you as you arrive. The event will take place on the ground floor. Bathrooms are at the lobby’s north end. All gender restrooms will be available. Guests will have the option to add their pronouns to their nametags during registration.
As our guests arrive, the volume in the lobby and ballroom will get louder. Music will play at mid-volume before and after the program. During the program, lights will slightly dim, and videos play on large screens in between speakers. On-screen videos will include closed captioning. An ASL interpreter will be on-screen throughout the event. This event will be in English.
Hopelink welcomes all to the 31st annual Reaching Out Celebration. For questions about accessibility or accommodations, call (425)-897-3703, or email rsvp@hopelink.org.
Hopelink’s Table Captains play an important role by hosting a table and inviting guests from across their professional and personal networks who share our vision of a community free of poverty, furthering Hopelink’s impact by expanding our community.
Table Captain registration will open on Thursday, Aug. 6.
Hopelink Pacesetters help “set the pace” towards our fundraising goal. As a Pacesetter, your leadership will not only motivate other attendees to give generously as well but will provide critical support for our programs.
We highly encourage guests to carpool, use public transit, or arrive early, as parking in the Meydenbauer garage is limited . Light rail service is available on the Eastside with two more stops at Downtown Redmond and Marymoor Village, connecting Downtown Redmond to the South Bellevue Station. The Meydenbauer lot below the main ballroom will be free and reserved for event attendees. You may also park in non-validated overflow lots in the surrounding area.
Need assistance getting to the Meydenbauer Center?
What if I have dietary restrictions?
We can accommodate most dietary concerns. Please let us know prior to the event. Call (425)-897-3703, or email rsvp@hopelink.org.
Thank you for letting us know! Please email rsvp@hopelink.org by Monday, Oct. 5 so that we are able to cancel your lunch order. It’s important to us that we don’t let food go to waste, so please tell us as soon as you can!
I’m not able to attend the event but still want to donate. Can I do that?
Yes, thank you! If you cannot attend and would still like to support Hopelink, you can donate online here.
Or you can mail your donation to:
Hopelink
Attn: Development
P.O. Box 3577
Redmond, WA 98073
IMPORTANT: Be sure to note “Reaching Out Celebration” on your check.