Karen and I attended a phenomenal fundraiser for Jumpstart this week. The occasion was the 10th Anniversary of the organization, and we were joined by Karen's parents for the festivities.
The event was held at the Kennedy Library, on a very rainy and cold Thursday night. In spite of the weather, over 400 people attended, including the five original founders of the organization (only one of whom I had met before Thursday) and the heads of Pearson, American Eagle, and Starbucks, Jumpstart's corporate partners. I was actually surprised how many people in the crowd Karen and I knew, recognized, or had a connection to.
As an aside, I wore my vintage British prep-school jacket for the evening, and received many compliments.
There were two highlights to the evening for me: First, I spent the first part of the evening escorting Karen's parents around (Karen had to work) and introducing them to Karen's friends and colleagues from work. Not surprisingly, everyone raved about Karen and her work, telling us that she has literally transformed the organization. I have known for a long time just how special Karen is, how hard she works, and what an effect she can have on folks. But hearing it from all of her colleagues first hand, and watching Jim and Ev light up with pride, made it that much more special.
Second, as the evening wound down, I made it my personal quest to talk with Howard Schultz, the founder and chief global strategist for Starbucks. Schultz also happens to be the owner of the Seattle Supersonics. As he headed for the exit, and a flight back to Seattle, I stepped in his path and stuck my hand out. "I don't have any reason to talk to you other than the fact that I grew up in Seattle and I have been a lifelong Sonics fan," I said. As he shook my hand, I told him that I supported the direction he was taking the team, and was confident that the Sonics (under the leadership of Nate McMillan) were headed towards greatness. He smile and said "Thank you, I think we are building something special... I just wish we were winning now." I agreed, and we commiserated briefly about the Sonics Wednesday night loss to the Timberwolves. We were both clearly resigned to the fact that the Sonics won't make the playoffs this year, but I was encouraged to have met a basketball owner (and the owner of my team) who clearly understood the game and what it took to be a winner.
A really terrific evening all around -- for Jumpstart, for Karen and her parents, and for me.