Seattle Hotel Association to Honor H.S. Wright III and Kate Janeway

At the12th Annual "Evening of Hope" Benefit on February 7, 2009

• 
  SAVE
• 
  SHARE
• 
  TEXT SIZE
• 
  PRINT
• 
  COMMENT
• 
  PDF

. December 18, 2008

SEATTLE, WA, December 17, 2008 - The Seattle Hotel Association's (SHA) 59-member hotels is proud to announce that H.S. Wright III and Kate Janeway are the honorees of its 12th annual fundraising dinner and gala auction, the "Evening of Hope." The highly anticipated gala will once again raise funds for Plymouth Housing Group, which provides supportive housing for more than 1000 individuals who would otherwise be homeless in downtown Seattle. The event will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2009 at The Fairmont Olympic Hotel.

Plymouth Housing Group (PHG) provides housing that is safe and affordable and opportunities for the homeless to improve their lives. With the funds raised at last year's "Evening of Hope," Plymouth Housing Group completed its $52 million "Building Hope" Capital Campaign, adding 300 units of affordable housing for homeless adults in Seattle. The last project of the campaign, the Langdon and Anne Simons Senior Apartments at 3rd & Blanchard opened its doors to homeless seniors and veterans on January 17, 2008. This year, funds raised at the Gala will help fund Plymouth's "supportive" services for residents, which include one-on-one case management, referral to mental health and chemical dependency counseling, and job training programs.

Mr. Wright and Ms. Janeway were selected as the event honorees for their unsurpassed philanthropic dedication. Community is important to the Seattle couple, and is evident in their work with many local, non-profit organizations and charitable giving.

Mr. Wright is Chairman and CEO of Seattle Hospitality Group, a large event planning and group management operator in the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii. He is also a managing partner in a group of hotels including the Sheraton Seattle Hotel and Towers, and the Monterey Marriott (Monterey, California); as well as a stockholder in the Space Needle Corporation. Mr. Wright is also on the board of several affiliated associations involved with tourism and Seattle arts and theatre.

Ms. Janeway is president of Great Governance Group, which leads mission-driven organizations, and family and closely-held businesses, through significant growth transitions. Her particular life-long interest and passion is environmental protection. Ms. Janeway has decades of experience leading Boards and enterprises in environmental, arts and social enterprise arenas. She currently serves on the Boards of five foundations, including the Washington Women's Foundation.

A departure from typical galas, this year's theme, "A Pillowfight Against Homelessness," will be a feather-filled evening of fun, with attendees donning elegant pajamas and smoking jackets. The fashions of the evening will reflect the latest in evening wear, for at home and for a night out in the town. A delicious four-course menu will be prepared by Executive Chef Gavin Stephenson. The evening will begin with a cocktail reception and silent auction in The Spanish Foyer, as well as a fashion show featuring style and fashion trends from Gene Juarez Salons & Spas, The Finerie and Turgeon-Raine Jewellers.

The Seattle Hotel Association created the Evening of Hope Gala in 1996 to showcase the organizations effort to make a difference for people in our community. Over the past twelve years, proceeds from this event have benefited Northwest Aids, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Puget Sound Affiliate and now Plymouth Housing Group. The Evening of Hope Gala has raised well over 3.7 million dollars for these deserving local charities and the Seattle Hotel Association is proud to continue our service to the community.

All proceeds from the Evening of Hope Gala benefit our selected charity and through the volunteer effort of the Seattle Hotel Association members and designated charity organizations the event has grown to be one of the most successful Gala's in Seattle's history.

An "Evening of Hope" mainstay, attendees can still expect one-of-a-kind live auction items such as Washington winemaker diners, tickets to sporting events and a wide variety of distinctive experiences including a behind-the-scenes look at Pike Place Fish market with the Fish Mongers; a Paella Party for 20 and a Poker Party at The Fairmont Olympic Hotel. Unique vacation packages to exotic destinations include Paris, Thailand and Sri Lanka. Luxury auction items include a H"astens bed, valued at over $25,000, and known for its hand made craftsmanship and quality materials fit for a king.

The 2009 Evening of Hope presenting sponsors is JPMorgan Chase, media sponsor is USA TODAY, and fashion sponsors are Gene Juarez Salons & Spas and The Finerie. Local media personality, John Curley, will be on hand to be the auctioneer for the event.