You may remember Ascend Hospitality Group (AHG) as the recipient of Rainier Athletes’ Corporate PlayMaker award. Their flagship restaurant Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi, located on the 31st floor in downtown Bellevue, served as a stunning backdrop for the award celebration. However, RA and AHG’s partnership goes far beyond the 31st floor and deep into the community.
AHG Cares, the philanthropic arm of Ascend Hospitality Group, is based on AHG’s core values: You Matter, Team Matters, Service Matters. Dedication to service is what fuels AHG’s philanthropy.
““We view service as our basic human duty but also, service is our business. Although for some, service means serving food on a plate to guests, it began as a desire to do what we can in the communities where we operate for those who need help the most.” ”
Board Service
For Elaina and AHG, Rainier Athletes is both a professional and personal investment. Elaina contributes her business and community expertise on RA’s Board of Directors and involves RA in AHG Cares throughout the year. Her service to RA has strong personal ties: “If RA existed when I was a student athlete without resources and poor grades, I would have been a candidate. RA is one of many organizations to provide assistance to our youth, but RA does this through a direct mentoring model which has proven to be more successful for the student.”
Student Supports
AHG supports RA students with an annual backpack distribution, bringing in partners like Amazon, the Cliff Avril Family Foundation, and Ciara and Russell Wilson’s Why Not You Foundation. In 2023, AHG and Amazon recruited a team of “Seattle Sports Legends” — from Bobby Wagner of the Seahawks to Chance Fry from the Sounders and mascot Doppler of the Seattle Storm — to host a party at the Amazon Fresh store in Factoria, benefiting six nonprofits and 700 students with new backpacks. They also ensure RA students have the opportunity to experience fine dining, hosting each cohort of RA seniors for a celebratory graduation meal with a view.
““When Elaina decides it’s the right thing to do - for her family, her staff, or her community - she gets its done. RA is incredibly lucky to have such a fierce and compassionate champion in our corner.”
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What’s Up Next
AHG is also a staple in the live and silent auctions at RA’s annual fundraising event, Shape the Future. Past items won by lucky bidders include gourmet dinners at Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi and a homestyle backyard BBQ catered by Famous Dave’s. Stay tuned for this year’s one-of-a-kind items!