For the Reporter<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n Kent-based Sleep Country, one of the Northwest’s top mattress retailers, is donating $150,000 to Northwest nonprofit organizations in Washington and Oregon.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Funds were collected during a fundraiser held by its nonprofit foundation Ticket to Dream, which raised a record-breaking $650,000 to provide financial support to current and former foster youth for educational scholarships, extracurricular activities and assistance to obtain independent living skills.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n “We know from statistics that foster youth face numerous challenges, including difficulty in obtaining work experience, participating in life-changing activities like attending a field trip or the prom, paying for books as they start college, or joining a sports team,” said Dale Carlsen, CEO of Sleep Country. “Our goal is to help remove these barriers so they can enjoy the same experiences as their peers \u2013 experiences that shape their future success as adults. We’re thrilled to be able to do this with the support of our business community who gave so generously during our annual fundraising event.”<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Sleep Country’s contributions will support the following nonprofit organizations:<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u2022 Fostering Scholars at Seattle University: $50,000 to fund tuition, books and holiday break meal stipends for former foster youth<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u2022 Foster Family Care Network in Portland: $50,000 to provide opportunities for foster children to participate in extracurricular activities<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u2022 Treehouse in Seattle: $25,000 to support the Little Wishes program, helping ensure foster youth enjoy important experiences like joining a sports team or learning to play a musical instrument<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u2022 Kinship House in Portland: $25,000 for mental health services, including art and play therapy, to help foster youth obtain important skills like positive coping and trauma resolution<\/p>\n<\/p>\n “Once foster youth age out of foster care, they often lack the support system needed to obtain a college degree. At Seattle University, we’re striving to change that by ensuring former foster youth have the same educational opportunities as their peers,” said Colleen Montoya Barbano, director of Seattle University’s Fostering Scholars program. “Foster youth are our next generation of leaders and, with support from generous organizations like Sleep Country, we’re excited to help them achieve their goals and lead happy, successful lives.”<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Sleep Country also supports the community through its award-winning Foster Kids Program, which is currently hosting its Secret Santa Toy Drive for Foster Kids through Dec. 15.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n