The Valerie Fund's Thanksgiving Ball Gala has been the highlight of the organization's fall/winter fundraising season and after 26 years, a change in venue set the tone for an all-out effort to dazzle guests. Close to 350 guests came to the beautiful facility, The Grove in Cedar Grove, NJ and soon realized they were a part of the most memorable evening to date! Towering autumn centerpieces filled the tables in the massive ballroom. But the room couldn't contain the enthusiasm and generosity of the guests in response to the honoree speeches and interactions with our patient ambassadors.
Before the lineup of speakers took to the podium Valerie Fund patient, Olivia introduced the evening's 15 ambassadors. Ranging in age from six to 19, each current or former Valerie Fund patient spoke a little bit about themselves and mingled with guests in the ballroom.
Pat Tully, the Gala's auctioneer, rallied the crowd during the evening's live auction which featured tickets to see Bruce Springsteen on Broadway plus a signed guitar, and dinner for ten in the private dining room of the esteemed L'Artusi restaurant in New York City. Close to $600,000 was raised --- the second largest fundraising total in the Ball's history!
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Topics:
Holiday Giving,
Blood Disorders,
pediatric,
childhood cancer,
Founders,
philanthropy,
events,
new jersey,
fundraising,
nonprofit,
ambassadors,
advocate,
volunteers,
give back,
patients,
The Grove
Our blog series finishes with excerpts from the last set of 2018 Ambassador's profiles. A total of 16 ambassadors will represent The Valerie Fund at The Thanksgiving Ball Gala this Friday, November 16th.
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Topics:
Non-profit,
Pediatric Cancer,
Blood Disorders,
Charity,
pediatric,
childhood cancer,
sickle cell,
awareness,
hematology,
oncology,
centers,
new jersey,
fundraising,
nonprofit,
ambassadors,
advocate,
patients
In preparation for the Thanksgiving Ball Gala, at The Grove in Cedar Grove, the ambassadors met there a few weeks beforehand for the "Ambassador Orientation." They spent the evening filling out questionnaires, chatting, bonding, eating pizza, and touring the beautiful facility. Many parents of the younger ambassadors also joined the orientation.
An important part of the evening is always the medal ceremony. Each ambassador is awarded a special medal for his/her service to The Valerie Fund to be worn the night of the Gala. The ambassadors also have their picture taken to be featured in the Gala's program along with their handwritten excerpts.
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Topics:
Non-profit,
Pediatric Cancer,
Blood Disorders,
Charity,
pediatric,
childhood cancer,
sickle cell,
awareness,
hematology,
oncology,
centers,
new jersey,
fundraising,
nonprofit,
ambassadors,
advocate,
patients
Friday, November 16, 2018 is our 27th Annual Thanksgiving Ball Gala. This year, the event will be held at The Grove in Cedar Grove, NJ, a new location for the first time in over two decades.
A tradition that will continue is inviting current and former Valerie Fund patients to be the evening's ambassadors. Guests will have the opportunity to meet with the ambassadors both informally in the ballroom and at Learning Depots. Learning Depots allow Valerie Fund patients and caregivers to educate guests about all the services the organization has to offer.
This year's ambassadors range in age from six to 19. They come from diverse backgrounds and were diagnosed with different pediatric cancers or blood disorders. They have shared their stories on how The Valerie Fund has helped them and their families. Their responses will be featured in the Thanksgiving Ball Gala's program as well as in this series of blogs.
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Topics:
Non-profit,
Pediatric Cancer,
Blood Disorders,
Charity,
pediatric,
childhood cancer,
sickle cell,
awareness,
hematology,
oncology,
centers,
new jersey,
fundraising,
nonprofit,
ambassadors,
advocate,
patients
The 26th Annual Thanksgiving Ball Gala was an entertaining and elegant evening. The ballroom dazzled with white roses and a soft golden glow. The evening’s honoree, Dr. Steven Halpern, delivered a moving speech that captivated the entire room. The event which featured a live and silent auction, raised almost $450,000 to date. The most inspiring part of the evening was when the ambassadors shared their experiences and educated guests about how The Valerie Fund has cared for and supported them and their families. Below are the final five profiles of the ambassadors who attended this year’s gala.
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Topics:
Non-profit,
education,
Pediatric Cancer,
Blood Disorders,
pediatric,
childhood cancer,
caregivers,
events,
new jersey,
nonprofit,
ambassadors,
The Hilton Short Hills
Our blog series continues with excerpts from the 2017 Ambassador's profiles that will be in attendance at The Thanksgiving Ball Gala this Friday, November 17th.
Gavin, age 7
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Topics:
Non-profit,
education,
Pediatric Cancer,
Blood Disorders,
pediatric,
camp happy times,
childhood cancer,
caregivers,
events,
new jersey,
nonprofit,
ambassadors
The 26th Annual Thanksgiving Ball Gala will be held on Friday, November 17th, 2017 at the Hilton Short Hills. A special part of the night is the opportunity for guests to meet with current and former Valerie Fund patients both informally and at designated Learning Depots. Along with a caregiver from The Valerie Fund, our ambassadors will educate guests about all the services the organization has to offer. The interaction often turns personal as ambassadors share how a particular service was meaningful in their own journey of battling a life-threatening disease.
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Topics:
Non-profit,
education,
Pediatric Cancer,
Blood Disorders,
pediatric,
childhood cancer,
caregivers,
events,
new jersey,
nonprofit,
ambassadors
