Thanks to the generous support of its members and families, the National League of Young Men (NLYM) West Bellevue Chapter hosted a highly successful All League Winter Philanthropy – Helping Hands event, raising a total of $5,684 and mobilizing an impressive group of volunteers for a day of meaningful service. The event brought together 54 young men, 35 mothers, and one father—90 volunteers in total—who worked side by side on a wide range of hands-on service projects benefiting local nonprofits. Together, participants purchased and built 50 new bicycles for the Forgotten Children’s Fund, helping ensure children in need experience the joy of receiving a bike.

In addition to the bike build, volunteers completed several other impactful projects throughout the day. These included making 100 PB&J sandwiches for Sophia Way, creating 50 dog pull toys for the Seattle Humane Society, assembling 50 men’s hygiene kits and 250 snack packs for Bellevue LifeSpring, and putting together 150 hygiene kits for women and children at Mary’s Place. Each station reflected the chapter’s commitment to meeting diverse community needs through thoughtful, hands-on service.

Hosted at the Bellevue Botanical Garden, the event offered a welcoming and collaborative atmosphere. Volunteers rotated between service stations, shared lunch together, and embraced the collective spirit of giving that defines the Helping Hands initiative. Behind the scenes, the Philanthropy Committee played a vital role in bringing the day to life. Their dedication, creativity, and many hours of planning ensured the event ran smoothly and that each project delivered meaningful impact to its partner organization.

“Watching the young men and moms of NLYM West Bellevue come together with such enthusiasm, teamwork, and generosity to create a successful Winter Helping Hands event fills me with immense pride. When we show up together like this, we’re not just having fun—we’re making a meaningful impact in our local community and teaching our boys the power of service, compassion, and leadership.”  -YK Cho, VP of Philanthropy for NLYM West Bellevue Chapter

The West Bellevue Chapter of the National League of Young Men, Inc. was founded in 2015 with the mission of providing young men opportunities to serve their community while developing leadership skills, learning social protocol, and gaining cultural experiences. The program is open to mothers and young men who either reside within or attend school in the Bellevue School District.

Through events like Helping Hands, the chapter continues to demonstrate the power of service, teamwork, and generosity—and the lasting difference that community involvement can make.