Teen United: Leadership in Action
- United Way of Grays Harbor
- Jun 3
- 3 min read
What if a fundraiser could build future leaders? That’s the question United Way Grays Harbor Executive Director Kelley McDonald asked in 2023—and the answer became Teen United.
This youth leadership program is now at the heart of United Way’s biggest event of the year: the Black & White Gala.
In 2025, 84 local teens stepped into service—preparing, cooking, and serving the very meal that brought the event to life. But they didn’t just serve food. They showed what it means to lead, to show up, and to give back.
Teen United students volunteered their time to help raise $140,000 for United Way of Grays Harbor.
And through Teen United, they didn’t just help raise critical funds for community programs—they gained confidence, experience, and the power to make real decisions that impact their futures, their schools, and their neighborhoods.
Want to help keep it going?
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Keep reading to see how Teen United is growing—and how students are helping shape what comes next.
Real Skills. Real Impact
As part of their participation, each school earned a portion of funding, and additional dollars were set aside in a student-led community fund—where teens decided how to reinvest that support into their schools and neighborhoods.
Through this process, students learned:
How hard it is to raise funds
How meaningful it is to give them away
That leadership starts with showing up and taking responsibility
And the results speak for themselves:
💙 Big Impact from a Small School 💛At Lake Quinault, the student-led Teen United committee helped make the 2025 Gala a success—and earned a $6,135 donation to support their community.
Here’s how they put those dollars to work:
✅ Provided $1,000 checks to two local families in need
👩🍳 Bought new cooking jackets for student chefs
🍽️ Upgraded décor with school-color napkins for their beloved senior luncheons
These thoughtful choices reflect the heart and leadership of students who understand the importance of giving back. Lake Quinault is just one example of how Teen United empowers students to lead with purpose—and make a real difference.
We're Just Getting Started
Today, Teen United students lead through food prep and service—but that’s just the beginning.
We’re hoping to expand student involvement across the entire Gala, giving teens hands-on, real-world experience in fields they’re passionate about.
We believe every student has something to offer, and we’re excited to build this program together, with the voices and talents of the teens it serves.
What They Take With Them
Leadership & event experience
Confidence in teamwork and decision-making
A deeper connection to their community
These aren’t just skills—they’re stepping stones.
Community Members & Educators: Help spread the word and encourage participation.
Together, we’re building something bigger. United is the Way.
United Way Grays Harbor Black & White Gala
The United Way Black & White Gala is Grays Harbor’s event of the year—an unforgettable evening of gourmet food, games, auctions, and dancing, all to support vital local programs.
What makes it even more powerful?
Teen United students are at the heart of it—preparing and serving the meal, gaining real-world experience, and stepping into leadership roles that leave a lasting impact.
The Gala brings together community members, local leaders—and now students—to raise funds that help build a stronger, more connected, and more thriving Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties.
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