Please join us on Saturday, June 1, 2024 at 6PM for a fun-filled evening with dinner, wine, bidding, and laughter as we celebrate 46 years of service and raise critical funds to support early learning. We will be celebrating with you in person at the Museum of Flight. Let us unite with our volunteers, donors and community members to support Denise Louie Education Center and hear about the work we are doing as you engage and connect with your tables. Together we will honor this year’s Dream Award recipients and help raise funds needed to close the opportunity gap.
Event Schedule
6:00pm - Check-In | Silent Auction Bidding | Live Auction Preview
7:00pm - Program | Live Auction
9:30pm - Event concludes
Theme
Dress up in your favorite gala attire to bid and dance the night away with our starry night theme. Get ready for an evening full of excitement and celebration!
The Dream Award
The Dream Award was established to acknowledge the exceptional work of individuals and organizations whose strong commitment to children has resulted in (1) increased access to early education for children and families and (2) increased internal resources that allow Denise Louie to serve and expand its programmatic mission and goals.
2024 Community Dream Award - PEPS
Since 1983, PEPS has helped parents in the Puget Sound region connect and grow in their parenthood journey. The PEPS experience strengthens families, increases family wellness, and prepares families to navigate the highs and lows of parenting through parent peer-support programs. The positive impacts of these programs resonate deeply within our Denise Louie community, as support strengthens parental resilience for the next milestone, challenge, or change and helps to create the bond between parents and their children.
Their commitment to creating an environment of mutual trust and understanding within their groups and fostering a culture where parents are seen as partners in their child's development is inspiring. Their organization's initiatives have elevated the quality of children’s early learning experiences and empowered parents to be active contributors in this journey. PEPS and DLEC have partnered since 2021 to offer Spanish and multilingual parent peer-support groups to families in our home visitors program.
We are honored to recognize PEPS at our 2024 Annual Dinner and Auction for their continued dedication, passion, and unparalleled efforts in parent engagement and building community. Their contributions have paved the way for a brighter and more inclusive future for early learners.
2024 Community Dream Award - Norma Martinez-Olivera
Norma represents the epitome of dedication and commitment that the Dream Award seeks to acknowledge. With a tenure spanning over a decade at DLEC, she has worn many hats from a kitchen cook, teacher to site supervisor; each role she has undertaken demonstrates her unwavering commitment to enhancing the lives of children and their families. Her direct involvement in early education has significantly increased access for children and families alike. By engaging with children at multiple levels—from ensuring they have nutritious meals as a kitchen cook to providing educational support as a classroom aid and teacher—Norma has directly contributed to the foundational goal of the Dream Award. Her work has not only facilitated a nurturing educational environment but also spearheaded initiatives that align with DLEC's mission to expand its programmatic goals.
Moreover, Norma's influence extends beyond the classroom. Her encouragement and support of caregivers highlight her exceptional ability to foster self-sufficiency and engagement among parents. This is crucial for creating a sustainable impact on the community DLEC serves. By empowering parents, Norma has increased internal resources, enabling DLEC to further its mission and expand its reach. Her ability to inspire and motivate others exemplifies the core values of the Dream Award.
Norma's dedication and multifaceted contributions to DLEC reflect the essence of the Dream Award. Her impact on early education access and community empowerment aligns perfectly with the award's objectives to honor individuals who are committed to enhancing the lives of children and families. Norma's work not only embodies the spirit of the Dream Award but also ensures a brighter future for DLEC and the communities it serves.
Auction Chairs - Denise Moriguchi and Jennie Cochran-Chinn
Denise has been a former board member of Denise Louie Education Center and has been serving on our Emeritus Board since 2021. With
deep roots in the community, Denise’s local knowledge combined with her
wealth of management and marketing experience has made her an
incredible resource, especially as a member of the capital campaign
committee for Mercy Magnuson Place. Denise earned her degrees in
economics, Asian studies, and business administration from Sloan School
of Management at MIT and Bowdoin College. Her career in marketing and
brand management spans nearly 15 years, including branding for Bayer
Healthcare. After returning to Uwajimaya in 2013 as Marketing Director,
Denise became President in 2016 and CEO in 2017. In addition to her
dedication to DLEC, Denise sits on the board for AAA and serves on Mayor
Bruce Harrell’s transition committee. This year, Denise will also be serving as our auction description reader during our live auction!
Jennie
has been serving on our Board of Directors since 2021. She has been an instrumental volunteer in our 2021, 2022, and 2023 Dinner and Auction and
Development efforts. Her support has led to the success of Denise
Louie's virtual and in-person auctions. We are excited to have her as our 2024 Auction Chair.
"The
brain is a muscle, and just like any muscle it is important to stretch
and build it. This is what early learning does - it sets the foundation
for learning for the rest of a child's life. It's fundamental for
every child to have access to multicultural early learning that allows
them to build that necessary foundation to be successful in life. No
other organization does this better than Denise Louie Education
Center." - Jennie Cochran-Chinn
Auctioneer - Gee Scott
Gee Scott is co-host of “The Gee & Ursula Show” on KIRO Radio 97.3 FM, gameday host for the Seattle Seahawks, and podcast host of "KJ All Day". Gee is a high-energy speaker and auctioneer for today’s audiences. Gee built a career infusing personal experiences, innovation, and infectious energy across many industries. Gee's love and passion for giving back has resulted in supporting organizations like the Denise Louie Education Center to support the meaningful, important, and life-changing work you do.
