This blog post was written by Kayla Dunn, United Way of King County editorial associate.

“This event is much more flowy than I thought it’d be,” said Anika Wottreng, an attendee at last Tuesday’s Happy Hour and Hellos event. She gestured to the people mingling by the bar, talking over hors d’oeuvres and lounging on the couch.   

“It’s just really fun,” she continued, smiling as the caterer announced that dessert was served.

Happy Hour and Hellos is a free, quarterly event United Way of King County throws for its Emerging Leaders 365 members. Members can network over drinks, appetizers, and desserts while learning about United Way’s work. Hosted in unique spaces across King County, this Happy Hour and Hours was at Alaska Airlines’ Hub near Angle Lake.

Alaska Airlines donated its signature in-flight fruit and cheese platters to complement the delicious kebabs, chicken pasta, and crostini that Classic Eats in Burien catered. The venue boasted floor-to-ceiling windows, a live world map detailing all current Alaska Airlines flights en route, and an open bar with margaritas, wine, and IPAs.

While grazing at the appetizer bar, guests could bid on the silent auction. Mariner’s jerseys, an 11-night stay in Antigua, and a winery tour were just three of the nine prizes up for grabs.

Maurice Roper, an Emerging Leader of three years, chatted with fellow EL365 members. Roper said that becoming part of the Emerging Leaders community introduced him to some of his best friends in Seattle.

After an hour of unprogrammed mingling and bidding, United Way’s CEO, Gordon McHenry, Jr., took the mic.

“At United Way, we make hard work heart work,” McHenry said.

He spoke about United Way’s Our Neighbor Fund, which raises money specifically for prevention and food insecurity. With food prices rising and federal aid declining, our neighbors need help staying housed and fed.

This year, Our Neighbor Fund has helped 1,966 families stay housed, delivered culturally appropriate groceries to 4,000 families weekly, and fed 20,000 youth daily during the summer.

All proceeds from Emerging Leaders and the evening’s silent auction benefit this work.

After McHenry spoke, Seattle Mariners Social Impact Officer Nova Newcomer stunned the room, announcing that, inspired by McHenry’s words, the Mariners would like to match up to $10 of every donation made throughout the evening.

Although the event is free for Emerging Leaders, anyone can purchase a ticket to attend. Nine people who showed up because of an Eventbrite listing or a friend’s recommendation decided to become Emerging Leaders that night.

With a donation of $365 per year, United Way can keep families housed and kids fed.

In total, Happy Hour and Hellos at Alaska Airlines raised just shy of $5,000 to support Our Neighbor Fund.

We’re thawing the Seattle freeze—for good.