An estimated six hundred supporters raised more than $400,000 on Saturday May 8 as part of the annual Bellevue Rotary Foundation Auction.

The event, at the Meydenbauer Center, benefited Eastside Baby Corner and the Bellevue Rotary Foundation.

The festive evening included three silent auctions, two raffles and a dinner.

Rich Herzberg, President of the Bellevue Rotary Club welcomed the audience and asked the crowd to raise their paddles often in support of the Bellevue Rotary Foundation.

“Our primary beneficiary tonight is Eastside Baby Corner, an organization that provides for families in need,” said Herzberg. “We are helping them anchor their bridge to sustainability program which will help pay for the infrastructure to facilitate their transfer from an all-volunteer organization to a substantial sustaining organization.”

During the Fund-A-Future for Eastside Baby Corner, the audience raised their paddles high, donating over $100,000.

Karen Ridlon, Founder and Executive Director of Eastside Baby Corner, was delighted with the support.

“You are helping EBC keep our promise to the community that we will be here for the social workers, nurses, teachers and counselors who are helping families, providing another generation of children what they need to thrive. We are all deeply grateful,” Ridlon said.

Auctioneer April Brown complimented Bellevue Rotary on the effort.

“This auction has been an annual tradition on the Eastside for over 20 years,” Brown said, “providing much needed resources for many wonderful organizations that serve our growing community. It was wonderful to see so many people give so generously and enthusiastically!”

The club specifically thanked the event’s title sponsor American Family Insurance, platinum sponsors Rowley Properties and the Bellevue Collection, and all the corporate sponsors.

The Bellevue Rotary Club is an organization of approximately 200 business and professional leaders that provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and work to build goodwill in the community. It is the largest Rotary club on the Eastside.