Mercer Island’s Youth and Family Services (MIYFS) Foundation raised the bar with its 14th annual Giving from the Heart Breakfast.

The Foundation reported that its annual flagship fundraising event has raised $220,000 so far and reached the following milestones:

• Attendance improved by 15% (575 guests)
• Donations were up 61% over last year
• Many first-time Table Captains helped drive turnout
• Over 100 guests had never before attended

“This is an amazing period of growth for the MIYFS Foundation,” said YFS Development Officer Sari Weiss. “And we are thrilled with the expanded community support we are witnessing for our mission. Sincere thanks to everyone who helped make this event such a success.”

MIYFS provides counselors in the schools, senior outreach and advocacy, affordable family counseling, drug and alcohol prevention programs, arrested youth and early intervention programs, family assistance, and a thriving thrift store.

While the bulk of the Department’s $2.2 million annual budget is funded by the Mercer Island Thrift Shop in Town Center, 10 to 25% of operating expenses are provided by the City, and up to 10% is generated by a critical partner – the Youth and Family Services Foundation. The Mercer Island School District also contributes a portion of the funds required to run the MIYFS school-based mental health counselor program, though this portion is less than 3% of the overall YFS department budget.

Learn more about Mercer Island Youth and Family Services Foundation at: www.miyfs.org