First Light: Addi’s Faith Foundation Opens with a $750,000 Gala
Amy Lim, Hollie Roberts and Brittney Gast (photo by Wilson Parish)
By Jeff Gremillion
Hotel ZaZa got a gold ribbon, and a first-time gala that cleared more than $750,000 for kids with cancer — as guests insisted it was one of the most authentic and moving events they’d ever attended.
Addi’s Faith Foundation drew more than 300 supporters for the inaugural Gold Ribbon Gala. The money funds childhood cancer research and direct help for families caring for a child in treatment. Amber and Tony Bender started the foundation in 2008 after their daughter, Addison Faith, died of an aggressive brain tumor. Since then it has reached more than 1,400 families and put more than $3 million into research.
Chairman Heather Keller ran the night. The first Addi’s Legacy of Light Award went to Tracee and Tim Studdert, supporters since the foundation’s start. They got a standing ovation on the way up and talked about carrying Addi’s story forward.
The reception opened with Bubble Berry cocktails, a silent auction, a raffle for diamond stud earrings and a wine pull. Childhood cancer survivor Alden Gilbert gave the invocation. A video of Addi’s story set the rest of the program.
The paddle raise alone brought in more than $125,000. The live auction, called by Johnny Bravo, raised the stakes, with several packages sold more than once, including a trip to Whitefish, Montana, that went twice. Bravo then switched from auctioneer to DJ.
Seen in the crowd: Brooklyn Studdert, Carter Studdert, Kennedy Studdert, Pat Studdert, Priscilla Studdert, Laurel and Jeb Bashaw, Mindy and Otto Bielss, Ashton and Allie Ames, Brent Keller, Robin and Frank Breazeale, Amy and Troy Ahrens, Amanda Malone, Kent Furlong, Caroline Parks, Elaine Beason, Melissa Beason, John and Leticia Ravenberg, John Hoyme, Jim and Theresa Allison, Tiffany and Joe Primo, Audra and Chance Blakely, Amy and Clint Bennett, Tina and Mark Whitehead, Brian and Vanessa Richard, Katie and Derek Freeman, and Bethany and Ben Buchanan.
Joel and Kate Powell (photo by Wilson Parish)
Amber and Tony Bender (photo by Wilson Parish)
Ben and Bethany Buchanan (photo by Wilson Parish)
Hollie Roberts, Amy Lim, Christy Wright and Laura Quin (photo by Wilson Parish)
Vanessa and Bryan Richard (photo by Wilson Parish)
Marshall Madded and Kennedy Studdert (photo by Wilson Parish)
Kristen Ryan and Heather Walker (photo by Wilson Parish)
Jeb and Laurel Bashaw and Tracee and Tim Studdert (photo by Wilson Parish)
David and Jeri Sonnier and Mindy and Otto Bielss (photo by Wilson Parish)
Heather and Brent Keller (photo by Wilson Parish)