Hello! I’m Kathy Shao, a student volunteer with the Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation (NW Parkinson’s). This fall, I’ll be a sophomore at Mercer Island High School, and I’ve been living in the Pacific Northwest for the past 4 years. Working with NW Parkinson’s is always such a pleasure, and I’m so excited to be on the Celebrate! Committee for our biggest annual fundraiser of the year!

Each October, we host a gala to fundraise and spread awareness about Parkinson’s and the numerous programs and services we offer. A big part of the gala is our online auction, where individuals and businesses generously support our foundation by donating goods or experiences, ranging from wine tasting to jewelry, artwork to cruise tickets. These are then placed in a silent auction and some lucky person goes home with the satisfaction of winning their bided items and supporting Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation- a double win!

And that’s where I come in. My role on the Celebrate! Committee is to oversee procurement development. I reach out to people to find out what they like to eat, see, do, and then find a business or individuals that have the ability to fulfill that opportunity. We connect with a wide range of people and businesses from all around the Pacific Northwest who each can share their own special contribution. These generous donors are an integral part of keeping our programs and services going, and we appreciate them so much!

Collaborating with the Foundation is full of excitement and purpose. It’s incredible to see our local organization in action to foster a sense of connection and hope for people with Parkinson’s across multiple states. I’m honored to be helping with NW Parkinson’s on the Celebrate! Committee and I can’t wait to see everyone in October!