See Ya Later Foundation

Mission

The "See Ya Later" Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in Oregon and Washington that began out of the inspiration of a 12-year-old boy who died of cancer. Scott Banke had a zest for life and a courage that motivates the Foundation's mission: "Inspiring Youth - Encouraging Families". Scott never wanted to say goodbye to anyone, choosing instead to say, "See ya later".

Description

We understand that dealing with a life-threatening medical crisis can be a very difficult experience for any family. Whether a family has a great deal of support or not, we are passionate about encouraging and blessing these families in a variety of ways, with no strings attached and in a manner that is impactful towards their family unit.

Chances are, we all know someone who has experienced a difficult medical crisis, or maybe you know someone right now who is dealing with something that has turned their life upside down. These situations, whether minor or severe, can throw families into a whirlwind of complications with work, relationships, and finances. 

Our focus is on children, or parents with children 18 years of age and under, who have been diagnosed with an acute life-threatening medical illness. We provide help in the form of gas cards, groceries, home and car repairs, yard work, family bonding opportunities, or anything that will assist a family while on their journey. We try to fulfill as many requests as we can to provide hope and encouragement. 

Families in crisis can be referred to the Seeds of Hope committee and will be asked to complete an application for review and approval. Families will be contacted by a Seeds of Hope committee member, and support opportunities will be discussed. Although we are not a 'resource agency', we strive to meet families where they are in their journey and offer encouragement by providing a variety of gifts and services, as our budget allows. We are also well-connected to other agencies and businesses and share those connections with the families we serve.

To date, the foundation has served over 400 families combined in Oregon and Washington. In Washington, we serve families in King and Pierce counties.

There are a variety of ways an individual or corporation can help the "See Ya Later" Foundation help those in need. Become a Hope Champion today, and make a difference in a family's life tomorrow. We also offer sponsorships for our fundraising events that include a trivia night, a golf tournament, and a large gala in the fall.

Recognition

The See Ya Later Foundation was recognized by the Puyallup-Sumner Chamber of Commerce as their 2024 Charitable Champion, and by the Covington Chamber of Commerce with the Non-Profit Excellence Award. 

We have a number of local sponsors that call Auburn and/or the surrounding community "home," and they love to see their financial support stay in this community. We are happy to promote businesses, large and small, and we encourage our supporters to patronize businesses that support our programs and the families we serve.

Thank you for your support!