SEATTLE NEWS ARCHIVES & FEATURES

Watch: John and Traci Schneider celebrate Year 6 of Ben’s Fund

Apr 5, 2017, 9:57 AM | Updated: Apr 6, 2017, 10:55 am

It’s Year 6 of the annual Celebrity Waiter fundraising event held by Seahawks general manager John Schneider and his wife Traci. To celebrate, the couple will be doing – well, the same thing they’ve always done.

“If it’s not broke, we’re not gonna fix it,” Traci told 710 ESPN Seattle’s “Brock and Salk” on Monday.

RELATED: Seahawks’ GM says Sherman trade talk is ‘real’ on ‘both sides’

The sold-out fundraiser benefits the Schneiders’ organization, Ben’s Fund, which provides grants in partnership with Families for Effective Autism Treatment (FEAT) of Washington to families around the state who support a child or children on the autism spectrum. The grants cover costs associated with medical bills, therapies and other resources the child may need.

The Schneider’s 14-year-old son, Ben, was diagnosed with autism at the age of 3, and they became autism advocates after seeing firsthand how expensive it is to raise a child under these circumstances.

“We want (other parents) to know they’re not alone,” Traci told KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson. “And people get it. We know how isolating it can be, we know what a struggle it is and we know how hard it is on the whole entire family itself. Just so they can feel that and know that, it truly does help you get through the day sometimes.”

According to the Center for Disease Control, about 1 in 68 children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder. Traci said Ben’s Fund has given over 1,100 grants across the state.

The event is set for April 20 at El Gaucho in Bellevue but an online auction went live Tuesday morning. Among the items for bid are an autographed Tyler Lockett jersey, Kam Chancellor football and Russell Wilson helmet.

Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand speaks outside United Nations headquarters during the 81st se...

Associated Press

Canada’s top diplomat talks up its ‘middle powers strategy’ at UN

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Canada is embracing its growing prominence as a champion of “middle powers” at the U.N. General Assembly, Canada’s top diplomat said in an interview Tuesday as the international community’s biggest annual gathering got into gear. Prime Minister Mark Carney made a splash last winter by saying frankly that countries like his […]

18 minutes ago

snoopy cups...

Julia Dallas

Starbucks’ new Snoopy cups revamp viral bear cup chaos

Starbucks came out with a Peanuts collection for fall, complete with a glass Snoopy cup for cold drinks.

23 minutes ago

A sign in support of news outlets is seen at the White House press room, Sept. 19, 2026, in Washing...

Associated Press

‘You should not be here,’ Trump tells CNN at UN as standoff with media outlets persists

NEW YORK (AP) — On a day of high-stakes diplomacy on the global stage, President Donald Trump began his United Nations visit by telling a prominent U.S. journalist, “You should not be here.” “It’s an honor to be here,” Trump said as he entered U.N. doors Tuesday ahead of his speech to the General Assembly […]

38 minutes ago

FILE - Delivery vans are parked during a protest staged as part of a countrywide National Day of Ac...

Associated Press

Justice Department charges Utah postal worker for dumping mail ballots in trash during state primary

A U.S. Postal Service letter carrier in Utah threw out more than 300 mail ballots that were being sent to voters for the state’s June primary, the Justice Department said Tuesday. Acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter said during a news conference that 34-year-old Damon Matai Seei was arrested Tuesday and appeared in federal court […]

57 minutes ago

FILE - An inmate works outdoors during a hot summer day outside a Texas prison unit in Huntsville, ...

Associated Press

Judge orders Texas to have air conditioning at all prisons by end of 2029

DALLAS (AP) — A federal judge on Tuesday ordered Texas to install air conditioning in all of its prisons, saying that inmates in lockups without it are being given punishments that violate their constitutional rights. U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman said in the 150-page order that the Texas Department of Criminal Justice must come up […]

59 minutes ago

This undated photo provided by Franciny Marchena shows her brother, Carlos Josue Marchena, who died...

Associated Press

Costa Rican man complained of lack of care for diabetes before his death in ICE custody, family says

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A 36-year-old Costa Rican man whose family says he complained of missing insulin shots and meals to manage his diabetes is the third detainee to die in less than six months at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Louisiana. Carlos Josue Marchena Marchena was found unresponsive Sept. 18 at […]

1 hour ago

Watch: John and Traci Schneider celebrate Year 6 of Ben’s Fund