Education is the most important way to strengthen our city. We have to take care of our public schools.”

This is the resounding message you will hear when talking to the Chairs for this year’s Denver Public Schools Foundation Achieve Gala. Holiday and Stan Goodreau and Kathryn and Eric Albright have generously committed their time and energy to host the annual fundraiser for Denver Public Schools because they believe deeply in the mission of the DPS Foundation.

2014 Gala Chairs“There are 88,000 children in Denver Public Schools, and they are depending on us. If we don’t step up to help take care of them and give them the education they need – who will?” says Holiday.

So step up they have: the Goodreaus and Albrights will be a driving force in the success of the 12th annual Achieve Gala, which raises nearly $1 million each year to fund system-wide innovative and core programs in literacy, tutoring, STEM education, after-school and athletics and more.

The commitment of this year’s chairs runs deep – especially so because Holiday and Eric are both DPS alumni. Holiday graduated from East High School, and Eric from Manual High School – a second generation alumnus with his father having graduated from East as well.

“My education in Denver Public Schools helped shape my life,” says Eric. “My years at Manual High School were some of the most important years of my life. Not only did I get a good education, but I learned important lessons about life and being part of a community.”

Beyond being connected to DPS as alumni, both couples feel strongly about the need for the community as a whole to support its children.

“We know that an educated population is the backbone of a strong community and country,” says Stan. “More than 95 percent of our future jobs will require at least a high school education. There is no question about the need for an educated work force in the story of the United States. But in the story of a young child, education provides greater options for a life of freedom and fulfillment. Children are our nation’s future, and their development affects us all of us.”

Specifically, right here in Denver, the need for an educated workforce is critical.

“Our public schools prepare children not only from an academic perspective, but also from a professional and real life perspective,” says Kathryn, a Senior Vice President at US Bank in Denver. “We need to support our schools so that they produce bright, talented people to strengthen our community right here in Denver. We shouldn’t have to look domestically or even globally for our workforce.”

“Colorado is an exceptional place to call home,” says Holiday. “But it is imperative that we raise the standards of education in this state. When the community comes together to help do that – we will attract incredible citizens and businesses to build our community. This is a critical challenge, and one that requires 100 percent commitment from the community to help address.”

The Goodreaus and Albrights encourage the community to show their commitment by attending the 2014 Achieve Gala on Tuesday, April 22nd – as a sponsor or an individual attendee.

“My favorite part of the Gala is the reminder that amazing results can be achieved if enough people care, even in small ways,” says Stan. “I love being knocked on my heels by the personal life stories of the struggle, courage and determination of these incredible students. It’s the true American story.”

Why the DPS Foundation, and not another education organization? According to Eric, it’s because DPS needs the support of the community to help our schools rise to meet the changing landscape in education.

“We’ve seen the recent progress in DPS, and things are improving remarkably,” he says. “We believe in putting our energy and resources behind that progress. We believe in bolstering the Foundation and helping get DPS the resources it needs to continue to evolve and keep up with the changing needs of our society, of our students. We want to help DPS get back on top in innovation, science, math – to help be a model for the nation’s schools. With the help of the community, we can do this. This is a commitment to our students, but also to our country.”

YOU can be part of this community-wide movement! Learn more about the Achieve Gala, purchase tickets or become a sponsor by visiting the DPS Foundation’s website or by calling (720) 423-3964.