$25,000 was raised for the new Diego Moreno scholarship fundraiser at Kent Meridian High School on Saturday night, Mar. 16.
This total means that the scholarship will be endowed, and can be awarded for years to come.
Additional donations would allow for larger or multiple awards for Kent students.
The Kent Community Foundation will name the first scholarship recipient on May 14, 2019.
“On behalf of the organizing committee for the event, we want to extend a sincere thank you to the Kent community and everyone who came to the Fundraiser for their support,” Kate Matos told I Love Kent. “Food, desserts, beverages and auction items were donated by Frankie June, EJ’s Catering, Alki Bakery, ShoWare Center, Mama Stortini’s Restaurant and Bar, Renton Technical College and Kent School District. The Kent Rotary Clubs provided volunteers to serve at the event, and contributed funds.”
Diego Moreno lived and died following his principles to love and serve in all things:
“En todo amar y servir.”
Diego’s love and service are his legacy. His scholarship will be awarded each year to a Kent student who has demonstrated a commitment to serving his or her community, and intends to use his or her education to make the world a better place.
“Thank you to all the contributors at the Diego Moreno fundraiser last night.
“We were able to raise $25,000 so the scholarship can be awarded in perpetuity as an endowment!
“Thank you to our event sponsors Frankie June, EJ’s Catering, Alki Bakery, ShoWare Center, Mama Stortini’s Restaurant and Bar, Pie Lab, Renton Technical College and Kent School District.
“Thank you also to our partner, the Kent Police Department! We couldn’t have done it without you!”
As many of our Readers will recall, Moreno was tragically killed on July 22, 2018 when another deputy’s car struck him during a pursuit near Reith Road and Kent-Des Moines Road.
This new scholarship was established with the Kent Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving the greater Kent, Washington community since 1986. Since its founding, Kent Community Foundation has awarded $372,400 in scholarships and $491,000 in grants.
In the words of Diego’s mother Lizzie Lee, the scholarship will:
“Honor Diego’s life through the powerful legacy he left. A legacy of love and service that must live on.”
You can help out by donating online here.
About Diego Moreno
Growing up in Venezuela, Diego was raised to be the first to help, and he practiced this by always putting others before himself. At his high school graduation, he was recognized for his personal dedication to exemplifying the pillars of an Ignatian education: conscience, competence, compassion and commitment. St. Ignatius of Loyola was his high school’s patron saint, and Diego lived and died following his principles to love and serve in all things: “En todo amar y servir.” Diego’s love and service are his legacy.
During his eight years as a Kent Police Officer, Diego served with compassion and chose assignments that put him in a position to care and help the members of his community. Through his work, he touched countless lives and earned many awards, including:
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- three Life-Saving Medals: one for saving the life of a boy who had drowned (2011); one for rescuing an elderly woman from a burning building (2016); and one for resuscitating a woman who had overdosed (2017);
- the Chief’s Award of Exceptional Duty: for crawling to assist other officers, after he was injured by a suspect, rendering him unable to walk (2015); and
- the Award of Duty and Sacrifice (awarded posthumously).
In addition to his law enforcement service, Diego volunteered with Shop with a Cop, served tables at the Tip a Cop Fundraiser to support Special Olympics, and grew his hair for donation.
Above all, Diego was a beloved son, husband, father, and brother.
