Enumclaw’s Rainier Foothills Wellness Foundation is celebrating a new fundraising record after its annual gala.

According to Executive Director Sara Stratton, this year’s Holiday Fantasy event, held Dec. 1 at the Thunder Dome Car Museum, raised more than $293,000.

This beats last year’s record by more than $30,000.

The money is being split into two pots. The vast majority of it ($252,000) is going into the nonprofit’s general fund to expand its senior hot meals programs by doubling the number of clients being served, from 35 to 70, and add a Buckley route for the first time.

Thanks to the fundraiser and an additional $60,000 grant from Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, RFWF’s mental health services for middle and high school students will be expanded so that students can receive services during school breaks. Family members of students receiving services will also be prioritized.

And finally, the nonprofit’s Care Van is now pushing out to service Bonney Lake.

“While this is a huge undertaking, it is also an opportunity to fill a major gap in services as that area of Pierce County is currently a bit of a transportation desert,” said Executive Director Sara Stratton.

The remaining funds are going into the nonprofit’s new digs at the former Mutual of Enumclaw building across the street from Enumclaw’s City Hall (1304 Griffin Avenue) to complete renovations and furnish what has been coined “The Foundation”.

“Now, RFWF will be able to immediately scale programming within The Foundation as soon as the renovations are complete which is estimated for February 2024,” Stratton said in a Dec. 11 press release. “Previously, all of RFWF’s programs have operated out of borrowed facilities which has put a cap on the number of people they’re able to serve. In The Foundation, RFWF will be able to double the number of seniors served with hot meal delivery, expand mental health services to include family support and more.”

Stratton thanked the nearly 350 people attended this year’s event, as well as presenting sponsors were Edward Jones of Enumclaw and Parker, and additional supporters like Gamblin Motors, Washington Storm Water, Work Sports & Outdoors, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, Aspire PT, Emily Bort of Movement Mortgage, Cameron Stratton of John L Scott, Dr. Tanya Wilke, Alan and Sue Reiter and more.

Close to 350 people attended the annual Holiday Fantasy gala at the Thunder Dome Car Museum on Dec. 1. Photo by Lauren Lilly / laurenlillyphotography.com