The Seattle Section of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) raised over $50,000 for its Furnishing Peaceful Homes: Shalom Bayit program at a Bellevue luncheon March 14. The luncheon also honored the program’s founder, Jennifer Cohen, with a lifetime achievement award.

Furnishing Peaceful Homes acquires donations of gently used furniture and household items and distributes them without charge to women and families transitioning from violent homes or temporary shelters to permanent housing. It is the only such furniture bank in Washington.

Donations got a boost when Woodinville resident Karyn F. King offered to match the contributions raised at the event up to $20,000.