Chicken soup for the soul, and the needy, in Bellevue

The smell of hot chicken-noodle soup wafted through the front parking lot and driveway Wednesday at Bellevue High School. Students milled about in the cold, eagerly awaiting their turn to grab a cup.

The soup lunch was part of Bellevue Hope, an ambitious yearlong service project organized by the high-school leadership class.

The students are dreaming big. They want to end homelessness and poverty worldwide.

They also recognize it will take time. So they started small, with several projects, including teaching poverty-awareness classes at local middle and elementary schools and cooking food for Union Gospel Mission. This week they held a food-and-clothing drive.

Wednesday was Soup for Simpson Day, a way for all students to participate in Bellevue Hope, said Douglas Waugh, leadership-class adviser.

Soup for Simpson Day honors R. Hunter Simpson, who died from a brain tumor six months after his 2005 graduation from Bellevue High. Simpson volunteered with hot-meal programs and helped build houses for the poor in Mexico. During his only semester at college, he ate soup for lunch and dinner, using his meal-plan funds to buy food for homeless children. One of his favorite charities was New Horizons Ministries in Seattle, which serves homeless families.

Bellevue High students organized the first Simpson Soup Day last year and raised $2,700 for New Horizons.

"We think we can do better than that," said Annie Althauser, a senior. "We're hoping to raise $3,200."

Indeed, they did. Serving soup donated by Costco, the leadership team raised $4,778. The event was so popular, they ran out of soup, Waugh said.

Blake Simpson, Hunter's 16-year-old brother, volunteered but was uncomfortable with the focus on his family.

"It's a good idea, but Hunter would have hated it," Blake Simpson said. "He hated attention. He would not have wanted it named after him."

Waugh seconded that.

"Hunter had a heart bigger than his chest, but he didn't want the attention," Waugh said. "He would have said bring on the soup and the smiles, not the attention."

Waugh looked at the students standing in line, waiting to be served. The big thing, he said, was the way Bellevue Hope has brought together all students, no matter their background.

"They've brought in so much food and clothing the room where we're keeping it is overflowing," he said. "This is the kind of service that matters — making a lasting impact."

Big send-off

When it comes to Seahawks fans, Terri Fletcher, of Kirkland, should be the reigning queen.

She has season tickets. She helps with Seahawks player galas to raise money for charity. She dresses her dog, Hawk, in Seahawks regalia.

Fletcher organized the fan wave-off Friday as the team heads to Chicago for Sunday's NFL playoff game. She got permission from the city and the team to coordinate the cheering section that will bid farewell to players, coaches and staff as they leave Seahawks headquarters in the Houghton area.

Fans, she said, should line up on 108th Avenue Northeast, south of 53rd Street, about 2 p.m. (Park on side streets.) The team is scheduled to leave at 2:15.

"Bring your 12th Man flag and join us," Fletcher said. "The more the better. Go, Hawks!"

Party plans

Suzanne Suther officially retired late last year as the Issaquah Chamber of Commerce executive director. Partying, however, was postponed until this year because of the windstorm/power outage.

The Suther retirement gig begins at 6 p.m. Friday in Issaquah's Pickering Barn.

Skip Rowley, a well-known Issaquah developer, will emcee the program, which includes politicians, business folks, chamber leaders and many friends.

Don't expect this party to be the final sighting of Suther. Word is she'll be involved in local tourism projects.

"Suzanne doesn't knit," said Robin Kelley, longtime friend and director of Salmon Days. "Just listen for her whistle. She whistles when she's happy and busy, and we expect to hear that whistle all around town."

Sherry Grindeland: 206-515-5633 or sgrindeland@seattletimes.com