EVERETT, Wash. -- CSI’s Creator and Executive Producer is helping a north sound non-profit reach the mentally ill of Snohomish County.

On Thursday, Anthony E. Zuiker, the man who created the popular CSI television franchise on CBS, was the keynote speaker at the annual fundraiser for Bridgeways. The Everett-based community service organization’s mission is to “provide a caring alternative to homelessness, hospitalization and incarceration for adults with severe and persistent mental illness.”

During his keynote speech, Zuiker described his next television project, which will explore the challenges mentally ill people face. Zuiker says the project, which has not yet been sold to a network, may even be set in the Pacific Northwest.

During the fundraiser, Zuiker auctioned-off opportunities to visit all three sets of “CSI: Las Vegas”, “CSI: Miami” and “CSI: New York.” He also volunteered to spend a day and dinner in Los Angeles with the highest bidder, and even the opportunity for a non-speaking walk-on role in “CSI: New York.”

Thanks to Zuiker’s generosity, and the businesses that sponsored the event, Bridgeways raised $127,000. But at the end of the fundraiser, Zuiker matched the donations---for a total of $254,000. By comparison, last year, the Bridgeways fundraiser only brought-in $10,000.

Zuiker says, he came up with the idea for the “CSI” television series while working as a tram operator at The Mirage Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

He told KIRO 7’s Amy Clancy, who acted as Mistress of Ceremonies at the fundraiser, now that he’s achieved success, he’d like to donate his time and money to others who may need some help realizing their own dreams.

People like the mentally ill of Snohomish County, who now have a $250,000 worth of services through Bridgeways, thanks to Zuiker’s generosity.