Jennie Moore vividly remembers the moment she walked into the classroom at School of Visual Concepts, “many, many years ago.” 

“I saw this really cute guy at the end of the table who had the longest eyelashes I’d ever seen, and there was an empty space beside him,” she said. Normally shy Jennie took the leap and sat down next to him. For three months, they worked together daily on their portfolios. Dave, an art director, and Jennie, a writer, found they made a great team. 

Today, after two decades of marriage, Dave and Jennie Moore still make a great team. And one of their favorite projects is developing the theme and design concept for Wish Night® Gala & Auction, Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington’s signature annual fundraising event. Jennie has worked on Wish Night since 2009, and the two have been the powerhouse behind the event theme and design since 2013.  

Each year is different—the theme, the décor, the inspirational wish stories—but one constant is the sense of awe and wonder when Dave and Jennie see their themes brought to life.  

“It’s always one of the highlights for me to see the theme and artwork interpreted and put into a living space,” said Dave. “It’s in an ice sculpture! It’s put in chocolate! It’s super-rewarding to see all the people who take the creative thought we’ve made and add their parts to put it together.” 

Dave and Jennie’s event theme and design concepts take shape months before the event. Their process usually starts in the summer, when the featured wishes are selected and brainstorming begins. 

“We go on a long walk and talk about it,” said Dave. “For us, the challenge is finding the most powerful human truth inspired by a wish that can also apply to the whole organization. We want the person coming to the event to become part of that truth; to help them see they are a part of these wishes.” 

The themes are as rich and varied as wishes themselves: there was the year of Heroes Among Us in celebration of Carl’s wish to be a WWII fighter pilot, Where Love Grows inspired by Magnus’ wish to be a landscaper and Ainsley’s wish to have an accessible backyard space; and Mission: Incredible highlighting Colby’s wish to be a secret agent, just to name a few. 

This year’s event features Shy’s wish to have electronics to set up a YouTube studio. It’s also the return to an in-person celebration, where our community of supporters will gather in the ballroom and take center stage in granting the wishes of local children. That’s where the theme—Starring The Power of You—was born. 

Join us at Wish Night Gala & Auction on Saturday, March 19, 2022, and see Dave and Jennie’s theme brought to life.  

Today, Dave is the founder and creative director of Moore and More and Jennie is a creative director and writer at WONGDOODY. They still make it a priority to donate their time and talents for Wish Night every year. 

“Any involvement with Make-A-Wish is very rewarding,” said Dave. “You can see the difference you make in a family’s life.” 

Thank you, Dave and Jennie, for giving wish stories the stage to shine!