Paying it forward

The other day, Wallingford neighbor Beth posted something on the Wallingford Moms site that caught my eye:  A group of parents have gotten together to host a fundraiser at Tutta Bella (4411 Stone Way N.) on Thursday, November 4 (from 5:50 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.) for Diane Broderick–a beloved co-op preschool teacher who had been recently diagnosed with breast cancer.  I e-mailed Beth and she provided me with more details:

Diane has been teaching preschool co-op for over twenty years and is well-known in the co-op system.  She is very much loved by many children and their caregivers.  She currently teaches at the following co-ops:  North Seattle Toddler, Northeast Toddler, North Seattle Infant, and North Seattle Community College.

She was diagnosed with breast cancer this summer and is currently undergoing treatment. Because her immune system is compromised, she is not teaching in the classroom this quarter, but is still planning the classroom activities and attending parent meetings.  She is planning to briefly attend the fundraiser.  She has a second part-time job that does not offer her health insurance and her husband is self-employed, so they buy their own health insurance.  She has two adult children.  She is hoping to return to the classroom for winter quarter.

How to help:

1. Come to the fundraiser!
2.  Sign up on the Facebook page: “Teacher Diane Fundraiser”
3.  Send checks payable to “Diane Broderick” to:
Teacher Diane Fundraiser
PO Box 17337
Seattle, WA 98127

The fundraiser at Tutta Bella on 11/4, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. is open to the public and there will be a silent auction, a wine raffle, and a children’s books raffle.  Some great prizes donated by some of Diane’s students will be included in the silent auction including a private rowing lesson with Lake Union Crew, a home remodel consultation with Salmon Bay Woodworks, and a haircut from Spins Barbershop, to name a few.