2026 Blue Dress Breakfast

Thank You for Making the 2026 Blue Dress Breakfast a Meaningful Success!

On May 12, 2026, we gathered together to reflect on the profound reality of hope being shared throughout King County through the faithful work and compassionate service of St. Vincent de Paul.

The morning began with an inspiring invocation from Father Stephen Sundborg, Interim President of Seattle University and longtime friend of SVdP. Father Steve shared moving stories of neighbors whose  lives have been transformed through the care and dedication of Vincentians. Read Father Stephen Sundborg’s Speech

We also heard from Connor Geraghty, Assistant Superintendent for Mission and Catholic Identity, who spoke about the impactful partnership between Catholic Schools and SVdP. Through Georgetown serving as a mission immersion site, students are given opportunities to put compassion, service, and care into action while living out the mission and values of St. Vincent de Paul.

The event concluded with remarks from Paula Holmes, SVdP Board President, who shared a powerful story of impact made possible through the work of Vincentians and invited attendees to continue supporting the mission. Students and alumni from Catholic Schools and the Kent School District also showcased their fabulous, thrifted finds from our Kenmore, Kent, and Renton thrift stores — a joyful reminder of sustainability, community, and support in action.

This year’s event was emceed by Madeline Ashcraft, Volunteer Manager for St. Vincent de Paul of Seattle | King County, who shared firsthand stories about the profound impact of community support at our Georgetown Food Bank.

Standing as a beacon of light in King County, the Georgetown Food Bank provides essential resources to hundreds of families each week while also offering something equally important: dignity, compassion, and community. Through the care of staff and volunteers, neighbors are welcomed, known, and supported during some of life’s most difficult moments.

Watch this years 2026 Blue Dress Feature Film:

2026 Community Service Award

This year, St. Vincent de Paul was honored to celebrate the faithful service of Vincentian and Georgetown Food Bank volunteer, Richard Tosdale.

Richard first began serving with the St. Vincent de Paul Conference at St. Patrick Parish in 1990 before later volunteering at the Georgetown Food Bank, where he continues to hand out food to neighbors multiple times each week.

For years, Richard has also personally purchased, packaged, and distributed dog and cat food to ensure neighbors’ pets remain cared for and fed. For more than 30 years, Richard has faithfully served the Georgetown community with consistency, humility, and compassion, often insisting his service is simply “the right thing to do.”

His quiet dedication and unwavering willingness to help wherever needed embody the heart of the SVdP mission. We are deeply grateful for Richard Tosdale and the extraordinary example of service he continues to provide to our community.

To view photos from this year’s Blue Dress Breakfast, click the link below!

2026 Blue Dress Breakfast Photo Gallery