Miracles for Kids Co-Founder & CEO, Autumn R. Strier, Miracles for Kids 2023 Gala
Miracle Maker Honoree Richard Ham with his kids and wife, Nikki Ham, at the Miracles For Kids 2023 Gala
Miracles For Kids 2023 Gala Auction & Donors (Left to Right) Delphine Channels, Cary Hyden, Bree Cox
453 Heroes Assembled for Good at the 18th Annual Night of Miracles Gala for Miracles for Kids, Bidding on 250+ Auction Items and Donating to Ignite Hope
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, USA, October 24, 2023 /EINPresswire.com/ — On October 14th, 450+ real-life heroes and miracle makers gathered at the 18th Annual Miracles for Kids Night of Miracles Gala. The ‘Marvelous Miracles’ evening, inspired by Marvel’s legendary heroes, unfolded at the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point, California with a vital mission: to secure crucial funds for families with children battling life-threatening illnesses and conditions. The event, presented by Xponential Fitness, raised nearly $3.5 million (with additional donations forthcoming from generous supporters not in attendance). Proceeds will be dedicated to supporting programs that offer a lifeline to over 350 low-income families facing these dire challenges.
Miracles for Kids Co-Founder/CEO Autumn Strier expressed her gratitude, stating, “We are truly moved by the generosity of our sponsors and superhero guests, who together helped us raise millions for critically-ill children and their families in need. We are grateful for the continued support of our Presenting Sponsor, Xponential Fitness, as well as the generosity of our donors – both online and in person – who bid on auction items and directly donate through our Fund-A-Need portion of the program that raised crucial funds for families in desperate need of support.”
This year’s gala, themed after Marvel’s iconic universe, featured a captivating sit-down dinner, live musical performances, and an exhilarating live and silent auction boasting over 250 items. Actor and radio personality, Manny Guevera, emceed the night, reminding guests that they are the superheroes these families need for survival. British singer/songwriter Alice Chater opened the evening with a powerful performance, followed by a set by Andrew McMahon, former frontman for Something Corporate and Jack’s Mannequin, who is a cancer survivor himself. The live auction showcased extraordinary items, including a 5-night stay for up to 14 at a beachfront luxury villa in Punta Mita, Mexico, a VIP red carpet experience for 2 at Marvel Hollywood 2024 premieres, a 4-day luxury golf and spa getaway to Kiawah Island for 8, two adorable French bulldog puppies, and much more.
Lead sponsors for this year’s event included Presenting Sponsor Xponential Fitness, Exclusive Wine Sponsor As One Cru, and featured Jewelry Sponsor Happy Jewelers, whose donated diamond necklace raised $32,200 alone in Opportunity Item tickets sales. Over 30 corporate sponsors helped make the event a success, such as Citizens Business Bank, The Leeson Group, Northern Trust, OC Breakers, and numerous others.
Anthony Geisler, founder/CEO of Xponential Fitness, Inc. commented,”We are honored to be a presenting sponsor for the fifth year, and to continue to support the meaningful work that Miracles for Kids does.”
Attendees enthusiastically bid on exclusive high-value live auction items that raised $237,000. The silent auction, which opened for bidding five days prior to the gala, raised $184,460 with over 250 items in categories spanning Dining and Getaways, Fine Wines and Spirits, Sports and Entertainment, and Beauty and Novelty. The pinnacle of the giving came from one very generous donor who made a million dollar match to the Fund-A- Need part of the program which raised a total of $2,287,600!
The organization celebrated two remarkable supporters for their years of dedicated service: 2023 Miracle Maker Honoree Mr. Richard Ham, whose generous time, energy, resources, and passion have profoundly impacted Miracles for Kids and its mission for over 15 years; and 2023 Champion of Children Honoree the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Six Points for Kids, for their many years of dedicated service to of the organization’s children and families. The evening’s most unforgettable moment was the standing ovation for patient Alex and his mother Deanna, after a video showed sharing their story. The family has been receiving support from the organization for nearly 13 years.
Miracles for Kids extends heartfelt thanks to the hundreds of volunteers who contributed a total of 540 hours to make the event a phenomenal success, and extends special gratitude to Presenting Sponsor Xponential Fitness, along with wine sponsor As One Cru and jewelry sponsor Happy Jewelers,
Learn how you can “be the miracle” for families in need and explore internships, corporate sponsorships, community programs, giving circles, or local events at MiraclesForKids.org.
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About Miracles for Kids
Miracles for Kids is a 501(c)(3) non-profit serving children with life-threatening illnesses and the families that care for them. Founded in 2002, and led by Co-Founder & CEO Autumn Strier for nearly 20 years, the organization creates stability for families that are crumbling from the financial and emotional devastation of fighting for their child’s life. With programs providing financial aid, basic needs, housing, and wellness to patients and their families, Miracles for Kids fulfills a mission to help caregivers battle bankruptcy, homelessness, hunger, and depression, so they can concentrate on what matters most. Based in Irvine, California, the Miracles team currently serves families in treatment at the following hospitals: CHOC Children’s Hospital, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital, Rady Children’s, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, By the Bay Health, City of Hope and Loma Linda University Hospital. Follow on Instagram @MiraclesForKids to see how your efforts make a difference. Learn more and discover ways to get involved at MiraclesForKids.org.
Tracy Keyser
P2R Inc
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