The Rotary Club of Kent and Rotary Club of Kent Sunrise are calling on the community to join them in contributing to the Diego Moreno Scholarship fund.
“With the entire community contributing, we can make this an endowed scholarship that will be perpetually funded,” according to a Sept. 1 Rotary press release.
Moreno died in the line of duty as a Kent Police officer on July 22, 2018. The Auburn resident was 35 years old.
In February 2019, the family of Moreno established the Diego Moreno Scholarship, to be awarded 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. The scholarship is awarded to one Kent student each year. Past recipients of the scholarship include Roshni Sabhaya, Essey Paulos and Faith Manohchompoo.
From Sept. 1 through Oct. 15, all donations made to the Diego Moreno Scholarship will be matched by the two Kent Rotary clubs at the rate of $2 for every $1 donated for the first $5,000; and matched $1 to $1 for additional amounts up to $15,000 by the Rotary Club of Kent.
“We will achieve the goal when community donations exhaust the $20,000 matching funds from Rotary,” according to the press release. “If additional funds are provided over the matching amount, the scholarship committee may increase the amount or quantity of the self-sustaining scholarship.”
Kent Rotary didn’t hesitate to be involved.
“It is has been an honor to support the creation of the Diego Moreno scholarship, and support the selection of applicants each year,” said Kent Rotary Club President Kim Secord Walley. “Through the process we celebrate Diego and what he stood for, including his focus on supporting youth.”
Donations to the Diego Moreno Scholarship can also be made online at: kentcommunityfoundation.org/scholarships/diego-moreno-scholarship/.
The scholarship was established with the Kent Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving the greater Kent community since 1986. Since its founding, Kent Community Foundation has awarded over $1 million in scholarships and grants.
“We are excited to continue our long-standing support in honor of Officer Moreno,” said Kent Sunrise Rotary Club President Rob Iddins. “Police officers have been active in our club and know the critically important role they are responsible for in our community. Police model selfless sacrifice and service.”
About Diego Moreno
Growing up in Venezuela, Moreno was raised to be the first to help, and he practiced this by always putting others before himself, according to the press release. 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 Moreno lived and died following his principles to love and serve in all things: “En todo amar y servir.” Moreno’s love and service are his legacy.
During his eight years as a Kent Police officer, Moreno 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:
• 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);
• Police 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)
• Award of Duty and Sacrifice (awarded posthumously)
In addition to his law enforcement service, Moreno 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, Moreno was a beloved son, husband, father, and brother.
He was killed in the line of duty at the intersection of Kent Des Moines Road and West Meeker Street when he was struck by a fellow officer’s vehicle during a pursuit that began after shots were fired at a nearby bar parking lot.
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