Highlights from 2009:
The Seventh Annual Business of Hope Luncheon

The highlight of last year's event was guest speaker Maritza Jiménez, a 29-year-old business owner and mother who took a few hard-earned days off from running her store in San Vicente, El Salvador to travel to Seattle for the Luncheon. Maritza—who started working at age five to help her family out—shared a very compelling story of success through hard work, perseverance, and microloans from Global Partnerships microfinance partner Apoyo Integral. Thanks to Integral's loan programs, Maritza now owns land, a home, employs her husband at her small variety store, and is able to send her two sons to school.

Another highlight was Costco CEO Jim Sinegal’s keynote address. Sinegal spoke about his growing interest in international development work and the importance of the global community, referring to Global Partnerships’ work as a “delivery vehicle for hope.” He also noted that if Maritza had been raised in the United States—with the kind of opportunity taken for granted here—she might very well be the CEO of a chain of stores herself, given her talent and determination.

Thanks to our Corporate Partners, Table Captains, volunteers and generous guests, last year’s Business of Hope Luncheon was a great success. We welcomed over 1,100 guests and raised $605,000—plus a generous match from McKinstry Co.—for our microfinance programs in Latin America.

We invite you to help change the lives of people living in poverty by joining us this year at our Eighth Annual Business of Hope Luncheon on Tuesday, October 12, 2010.