Over $689,000 raised at the most successful Luncheon in Plymouth’s history.

(l to r) Stewart Landefeld, Campaign Co-Chair, Keynote Speaker Mayor Cory Booker of Newark, New Jersey, Paula Reynolds, Campaign Co-Chair, Paul Lambros, Executive Director of Plymouth Housing Group.

On Friday, September 28, Plymouth Housing Group hosted our most successful luncheon with over 1,200 guests and $689,000 in donations.

Guests were treated to an inspiring keynote by Mayor Cory Booker of Newark, N.J. that followed several powerful presentations and a video about how Plymouth Housing Group is successfully working toward ending homelessness in our community.

A compelling “ask” was made by campaign co-chairs Paula Reynolds and Stewart Landefeld who persuaded attendees to help them close the $22M Sustaining Hope Capital Campaign by stretching their donation with a “Leading to the Finish Line” challenge funded by several generous donors who contributed $250,000 and matched every gift of $250 and over. The challenge was led by David and Joanna Beitel.

This challenge was met.

With the generous contributions made at the luncheon, we are able to close our $22M Sustaining Hope Capital Campaign.  This campaign will fund the new Pat Williams Apartments in South Lake Union opening in January 2013. The Williams will provide homes for 81 formerly homeless adults; 40 of the apartments are reserved for veterans; all new Williams residents will participate in Plymouth’s new Recovery Support program for homeless people intent on recovery including on-site support and counseling to help them regain their health and rebuild their lives.

Campaign revenue will also fund the remodeling of two historic buildings in the Plymouth Housing Group Portfolio:  The Pacific Apartments (across from the Rainier Club) and the Lewiston Apartments, both in downtown Seattle.  They will each receive a “green” remodel to achieve energy-savings and lower operating costs.

Luncheon expenses were completely underwritten by  presenting sponsor Microsoft and other major sponsors BNB Builders, ShareBuilder, JP Morgan Chase, Safeco Insurance and Vulcan.

This year’s luncheon was co-chaired by Plymouth board members Tracey Wickersham and Mercedes Fernandez.