Sixty years ago, Opportunity Council was founded on a simple but powerful belief: that in a just and caring society, every person should have the chance to build a better future.   

Today, that belief remains as vital as ever. With uncertainty ever-present in our community and in our country, we continue to show up every day with dedication and compassion.  

But here's the truth: we've never done it alone.

For six decades, neighbors have helped neighbors through volunteering, donating, showing up, and stepping in when it mattered most. And this fall, we want to celebrate all of you who've been part of this journey. 

Get ready to raise a glass (and maybe hit the dance floor). 

When: Saturday, October 25, 2025 | 5:30–10:30 p.m. 
Where: Hotel Bellwether Ballroom, 1 Bellwether Way, Bellingham 
Tickets: $150 individual | $1,250 for a table of 10 
 Program: Plated dinner → raffles & games → live music & dancing with Baby Cakes (a Bellingham-based, 9-piece, soul/funk/R&B band!) 
Attire: Festive formal—or just your best "I clean up nice." No one turned away for insufficient sequins. 
Tickets & Details: oppco.org/anniversary 

We Don't Show Up Alone.  

Neighbors have helped neighbors through Opportunity Council for decades. And neighbors like you are the common thread in the fabric of community action. Whether it's volunteers growing fresh food for the Maple Alley Inn kitchen, whether it's partners helping build more affordable homes like Cedar Commons, or whether it's folks like you donating so that other families can afford school supplies—we can't thank you enough.   

Thank you for creating the beautiful community we call home: a community where we show up for each other.   

Why This Night Matters 

This night will be fun. There will be great food, music, and dancing. But more than that, it's a celebration of a shared commitment to showing up for each other, year after year, challenge after challenge. 

Every ticket sold directly supports the essential, everyday work that helps local families stay stable and strong: housing, meals, warmth, child and family support, and opportunities to learn and grow. It's the kind of help that truly shows up, right when it's needed most.  

By joining us, you're not just celebrating. You're helping carry forward a legacy of practical support that makes a real difference in people's lives. 

Can't Make It? 

We'll miss you, but you can still be part of the celebration by sponsoring a ticket for a community member or making a gift in honor of this milestone. Every contribution powers real help for local families. 

We're also looking for volunteers to help make the event (and the next sixty years) shine. Learn more about how you can help. 

Let's Toast to 60 Years—And to What's Next 

Whether you've been connected to Opportunity Council for decades or you're just getting to know us, this gala is for you. 

Let's be honest—building a stronger, more caring community isn't easy. Every day brings new challenges, and some days feel especially heavy. That's why it's so important to pause and recognize the good we've created together.  

For 60 years, Opportunity Council has been a testament to what's possible when neighbors support each other. This gala is a chance to make room for joy and reflection, to honor the progress we've made, and to recommit to the resilience and hope that will carry us into the next 60 years. 

It's a celebration of everything we've accomplished together, and everything we're still working toward. Because the work doesn't stop, but neither does the hope, the heart, and the community that makes it all possible. 

We can't wait to celebrate with you. 🥂