Seattle Hotel Association announces 2018 Evening of Hope Gala honorees: Tom and Sue Ellison

SEATTLE (Sept. 21, 2017) — The Seattle Hotel Association is thrilled to announce the selection of Tom and Sue Ellison as its 2018 honorees for the upcoming Evening of Hope Gala to be held Feb. 3, 2018, in the Fairmont Olympic Hotel’s historic Spanish Ballroom.

This will be the Seattle Hotel Association’s third year raising money for Mary’s Place, an organization that empowers women, children and families to reclaim their lives by providing shelter, nourishment and hope in a safe community.

The association bestows the honoree designation to families and individuals who take a community leadership role in the Seattle area.

“We feel privileged to have been selected for this very special honor,” Tom Ellison said. “Sue and I applaud the amazing amount of effort Mary’s Place and the Seattle Hotel Association give in time and money to provide resources, services and hope for our fellow neighbors without permanent places to call home.”

“The Seattle Hotel Association, and member hotels, take pride in serving and caring for our guests,” said Amanda Parsons, Seattle Hotel Association’s gala chair. “We wanted to work alongside an organization and program that emulates an unconditional service for others, as well. We truly value our partnership with Mary’s Place. The organization is working in the community every day to help our neighbors in need, with a deep passion and commitment to improving lives.”

Tom and Sue Ellison are longtime residents of the Seattle area, where they raised their two daughters and are proud grandparents to two grandchildren.

Sue has always been the CEO of the family, while Tom is the co-owner and former chairman of the Board of Savers, a privately held international retail chain. Its brands include Savers, Value Village and Unique. Tom and Sue are also the founders of the Ellison Foundation, which allows them to actively support nonprofit organizations, academic institutions and individuals dedicated to empowering the lives of others.

Mary’s Place represents an important example of an organization that fits the Ellison Foundation’s model of supporting strong, well-run nonprofits with a clear mission and programs.

Attend the event
The Evening of Hope Gala’s Star Power Social Hour costs $100 per person and includes entrance to the social hour and silent auction from 5-7 p.m. VIP tickets cost $375 and include the entire evening’s festivities and the post-auction after party. Both ticket tiers are available for purchase by calling 206-236-6167.

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About The Seattle Hotel Association
Established in 1986, the Seattle Hotel Association promotes tourism, street safety, industry-related education and reinvesting in the local Seattle community through philanthropy. The objective of the organization is to develop an effective working relationship between hotel member properties; promote the highest standards of the lodging industry among the association’s members; provide legislative and regulatory advocacy on matters pertaining to the lodging and tourism industry and create a favorable climate that promotes the economic well-being of the hospitality industry.

About The Evening of Hope
The Seattle Hotel Association created the Evening of Hope Gala in 1996 to showcase the organization’s effort to make a difference for people in the community. Over the past 20 years, proceeds from this annual event have benefited many local charities by leveraging the collective strength of Seattle member hotels. All proceeds from the gala benefit a selected charity. To date, the association has raised more than $6.1 million.

About Mary’s Place
Mary’s Place empowers women, children, and families to reclaim their lives by providing shelter, nourishment and hope in a safe community. They provide resources for employment, housing and medical care. Mary’s Place operates eight area emergency night shelters, offering families experiencing homelessness a safe place inside and together.

Press release by Allan Aquila & Associates, LLC. 206-948-1997