Golden Apple Awards

Since 1998, ISF has presented its Golden Apple Award to recognize individuals in our community who touch the lives of our children – either through their financial support, volunteerism, business or community efforts. In 2004 a Corporate Golden Apple Award was added to recognize the sponsor of the Annual Luncheon whose generosity makes it possible for donations raised during the Luncheon to go directly to supporting the work of the Foundation. If you wish to nominate someone for the Community Golden Apple Award, or are interested in sponsoring the Luncheon, please (click here) to download the form, or contact the Foundation.

Congratulations to 2010 Community Golden Apple Recipient Gordon Brown

Photo by Greg Farrar/Issaquah Press

This year our award goes to an outstanding community volunteer who spends hundreds, if not thousands of hours each year, shaping the lives of young people: Gordon Brown.

He is known intimately in at least seven of our schools in our district. At Issaquah High School he accompanies the choir for concerts, contests and assemblies. He also accompanies the drama musicals. He repeats these activities at Issaquah Middle School, Liberty and many other schools throughout our District. Gordon also volunteers with the Evergreen Philharmonic Orchestra and is instrumental in transposing music. You rarely attend an Orchestra Concert in the District without seeing Gordon there helping tune instruments.

Not to be confined to music though, Gordon also gives of himself to our schools in the languages departments. He helps students in speaking French and in translation and pronunciation of Greek and Italian. He is a true Renaissance man. One student made an interesting comment as they were having trouble understanding a concept. She said, "No problem, all we have to do is ask Gordon, he knows everything."

Gordon Brown truly has touched the lives of our children in our community and exemplifies the service to students for which we are proud to award this Golden Apple.

Swedish Hospital and Microsoft are Golden

Swedish Hospital  and Microsoft have become the first joint Golden Apple sponsors of the Nourish Every Mind Luncheon. Their generous gifts laid the foundation for a successful corporate sponsorship campaign. To date, 15 area corporations have signed sponsorship agreements with the Foundation. This means that every dollar contributed by Luncheon attendees will be applied to ISF programs and pressing District needs.

"We were nervous about our sponsorship numbers this year," admits Executive Director, Robin Callahan. The economy is on an upswing, but we realize budgets are still tight. We are incredibly grateful for Swedish and Microsoft. Both are long-time friends of the Foundation. We were honored by their enthusiasm and their willingness to step up and become joint Golden Apple sponsors. Their donations make a powerful statement about the importance of education. It's a top priority that should be supported in good times and bad."

Please join us in applauding Swedish Medical Center, Issaquah, Microsoft and all of our Nourish Every Mind corporate sponsors.

Past Recipients:

2009 Community Golden Apple - Karen Ridlon, Eastside Baby Corner

Because of the change in the timing of our events, there was no Nourish Every Mind Luncheon in 2009, so no 2009 Corporate Golden Apple Sponsor.

2008 Community Golden Apple - Rob Outcalt
2008 Corporate Golden Apple - Overlake Hospital Medical Center

2007 Community Golden Apple - Howard and Amy McComber, Community Advocates
2007 Corporate Golden Apple - Swedish Medical Center

2006 Community Golden Apple - Judy Brewer, Community Advocate
2006 Corporate Golden Apple - Overlake Hospital Medical Center

2005 Community Golden Apple - Lesley Austin, Community Advocate
2005 Corporate Golden Apple - Swedish Hospital and Medical Center

2004 Community Golden Apple - Leo Finnegan, Life Enrichment Options, Rose House
2004 Corporate Golden Apple - Skip Rowley, Rowley Properties

2003 Community Golden Apple - Marty Budzius, Jim Berry
2002 Community Golden Apple - Dr. Sherwin and Jerri Shinn, The Smile Power Foundation
2001 Community Golden Apple - Skip Rowley, Rowley Properties
2000 Community Golden Apple - Steve Bell, Friends of Issaquah Salmon Hatchery
1999 Community Golden Apple - Tom O'Keefe, Tully’s Coffee
1998 Community Golden Apple - Mary Pigott, Satterberg Foundation

Last updated: June 2, 2010