Thursday, March 26, 2009 at the Seattle Grand Hyatt
HSDC’s annual event to benefit literacy services and celebrate lifelong learning felt like a family gathering.  Lara Yamada (News Anchor, Q13 Fox) returned as emcee of the event, and Mike James, former President of HSDC’s Board of Directors and a well-known Puget Sound television journalist, was presented with HSDC’s first annual Community Service Award.  HSDC CEO Susie Burdick shared the Center’s approach to difficult times - a winning combination of hope, heart, and strategy - and keynote speaker Joe Cozzo inspired attendees with his declaration that “literacy is a right of all children.” 

Enjoying the event (left to right): Bruce MacIntyre, President of HSDC's Board of Directors; Event Emcee Lara Yamada, Q13 FOX; Mike James, Recipient of HSDC's First Annual Community Service Award; and Susie Burdick, HSDC CEO.

Thanks to all of you who attended!  Some other memorable quotes from the luncheon…

“Hope.  It is defined as a belief in a positive outcome.  Hope helps us see the light at the end of the tunnel… no matter how long the tunnel seems.  But in these times, clearly hope alone, while important, is not enough.  There has to be strategy, and to deliver our mission and care for others, there always has to be heart.”
- Susie Burdick, HSDC CEO

“Literacy is the gateway to all academic, social, and vocational success.  Literacy is the “right” of every child born in this country and around the world.  Literacy for all is the new Human Right!”
- Joseph Cozzo, Keynote Speaker, President/CEO Buffalo Hearing & Speech Center

Keynote speaker Joseph J. Cozzo, President/CEO of the Buffalo Hearing & Speech Center, has worked with children and families for over 35 years.  With Master’s Degrees in Psychology and Counseling, Joe’s areas of expertise include child development and developmental issues, literacy, and school related issues of at-risk students.  His presentation at HSDC’s Language to Literacy Luncheon focused on the importance of literacy skills and specialized instruction.

A moving portion of the gathering was the chance to experience the changes HSDC made in one family’s life, as told firsthand in the video below.  (We apologize that the video is not captioned at this time. The event was captioned and interpreted live.)

Caroline's Desserts

See you next year!