The Path to Employment: Golden Hearts Luncheon Raises $60,000 for School-to-Work

​Our 2017 Golden Hearts Luncheon raised money for a more inclusive working world. Host Dennis Bounds, former King 5 news anchor, kept things lively as he shared success stories like that of Devin, who found his career through Northwest Center School-to-Work. Devin’s story was captured on video and shared at the event by featured speaker Chris Ulmer of Special Books by Special Kids, whose popular videos of conversations with children and adults with disabilities were an event highlight.

Dianna Webb, an employment consultant in Spokane, was awarded the 2017 Sally Puff Award, given to a Northwest Center employee with an exceptional commitment to our mission. Webb is known for finding clients “dream jobs.”

Northwest Center presented the William O. Ellison Award, created in memory of the Value Village founder, to Seattle company glassybaby. The award honored the philanthropic spirit of glassybaby founder Lee Rhodes, whose company has donated millions of dollars to nonprofits.

But the real stars of GHL 2017 were you. Thanks to the generosity of donors and corporate sponsors, we raised $60,000 toward our goal of getting more students on the path to employment by expanding our School-to-Work program to every high school in King County.

Many thanks to all who gave so generously, especially sponsors Amazon, Boeing, Brown & Brown, Jobvite, Juniper Capital, KeyBank, MacDonald Miller, MCM, Tom Mormino, Moss Adams, POA, Patrick Dolan Foundation, Savers, Terra Staffing, Washington Capital, and Wells Fargo.

There’s still time to contribute to the expansion of our School-to-Work program. Donate now. ​

Chris Ulmer with Devin and Emily at the 2017 Golden Hearts Luncheon.
​Support the expansion of our School-to-Work program at www.nwcenter.org/give
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