---
title: Grand Ridge Plaza Hosts Back to School Event & Community Donation Drive
description: Regency's Grand Ridge Plaza recently partnered with the Issaquah Highlands Community Association, Highlands Council, and YWCA Seattle for a gift card donation drive assisting local families and students with back-to-school shopping.
---

[@RegencyCenters Blog](https://connect.regencycenters.com/blog)

# [Grand Ridge Plaza Hosts Back to School Event & Community Donation Drive](https://connect.regencycenters.com/blog/grand-ridge-plaza-back-to-school-kickoff)

 Written by [Regency Centers](https://connect.regencycenters.com/blog/author/regency-centers) | Sep 8

Regency's [Grand Ridge Plaza](https://www.grandridgeplaza.com/) in Issaquah, WA recently partnered with the [Issaquah Highlands Community Association](https://issaquahhighlands.com/for-residents/community-management/issaquah-highlands-community-association-hoa/), [Highlands Council](https://issaquahhighlands.com/for-residents/community-management/highlands-council/), and [YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish](https://www.ywcaworks.org/) for '[Operation: Ready. Set. Learn](https://www.tiktok.com/@regencycenters/video/7134734837017070894),' a gift card donation drive assisting local families and students with back-to-school shopping at various Issaquah merchants.

The kickoff event, which took place at GRP’s ‘Pillars Plaza', featured live music performed by local Issaquah students of [Nam Art Academy](https://namartacademy.com/) and [School of Rock](https://www.schoolofrock.com/locations/issaquah), as well as speakers from participating organizations. Guests enjoyed bites from [MOD Pizza](https://modpizza.com/), who recently relocated to a larger space with a newly remolded build-out.

This event also served as the official ‘ribbon cutting’ of [YWCA](https://www.ywcaworks.org/)’s new Chromebook Technology Lab. Sponsored by Regency Centers, the lab will feature [Chromebooks](https://www.google.com/chromebook/), a printer, an [Oculus](https://www.oculus.com/gear-vr/) virtual reality headset, tables and chairs, a computer check-out station, and more. Located in the heart of the Issaquah Highlands, YWCA’s Family Village Issaquah integrates affordable housing and support for families in East King County. This vibrant community is filled with 146 studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom units for low-income families seeking affordable, permanent housing.

> We are absolutely thrilled to open the doors to our new tech center at FVI, and are truly grateful for the partnership with Regency and Grand Ridge Plaza,” said Anna Preyapongpisan, YWCA Regional Director of King County Permanent Housing. “This technology center will offer the women and families in our community access to cutting-edge technology and will help address the digital equity gap women and youth face in King County.

 The kickoff event also served as a follow-up to last year’s [Pianos in the Parks](https://www.pianosinthepark.com/) event, and unveiled an interactive piano featuring artwork by local King County artist, [Soo Hong](https://www.soo-hong.com/).

> We couldn't be happier with the incredible turnout for both the kickoff event and the donation drive," said Alisa Taggart, Property Marketing Manager, West & Colorado, Regency Centers. "We have loved working all of the participating partners for this event, and look forward to continuing to work together to help our communities thrive.

> At Regency Centers, we strongly believe in connecting with, and supporting, our communities," said [Kurt Utterback](https://www.regencycenters.com/employee/2887/Kurt-Utterback), Vice President, Market Officer. “We are proud and honored to work alongside the incredible teams at YWCA, Issaquah Highlands Community Association, and Highlands Council, who work tirelessly to advocate for the education and betterment of students and families in the Grand Ridge Plaza and Issaquah community.

A modern, grocery-anchored outdoor shopping, dining, and gathering hub, [Grand Ridge Plaza](https://www.regencycenters.com/property/detail/60557/Grand-Ridge-Plaza) is located at 1451 Highlands Dr NE and features more than 50 diverse food, entertainment, and lifestyle retailers including [Safeway](http://www.safeway.com), [Ulta](http://www.ulta.com), [Dick’s Sporting Goods](https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/), [MOD Pizza](https://modpizza.com/), [HomeGoods](https://www.homegoods.com/us/store/index.jsp), [Kumon Math & Reading Center](https://www.kumon.com/), [Ben & Jerry’s](https://www.benandjerrys.com/), and more.

Learn more about the shopping center at [GrandRidgePlaza.com,](http://www.grandridgeplaza.com)and check out footage from this event on the [Regency Centers TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@regencycenters/video/7134734837017070894).

[View full post](https://connect.regencycenters.com/blog/grand-ridge-plaza-back-to-school-kickoff)

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