Thanks for Believing

Amanda Bickell with Tom Yates, Hephzibah Board president and Mary Anne Brown, Hephzibah’s Executive Director.

Hephzibah’s fairy tale ball, Once Upon a Hephzibah came to a happy ending at midnight on Saturday, March 5 as 430 guests raised nearly $300,000 through donations, auction bids, and a popular wine pull. The evening’s revelries were championed by dozens of stalwart volunteers including members of the Gala Committee, all three Auxiliary Boards, and the OPRF Huskies Helpers.

Amanda Bickell accepted the Heart of Gold Award given to The Bryan & Amanda Bickell Foundation. Gala guests were silent as they viewed a video about the Foundation’s Paws for Strength initiative. The multi-phase program pairs a formerly abused child with a rescued therapy dog and trainer to provide a unique experience that both evokes empathy and inspires confidence.

Heart-felt applause rang out for John Hedges as he accepted the Heart of the Home Award in memory of his wife, Jane Hedges.  The Award honors Jane’s lifelong commitment to furthering Hephzibah’s mission. Michael Hedges, son of John and Jane, donated to the silent auction a large, vibrant abstract oil painting he created in memory of his mother.

Silent Auction bidding was hot as Heart of Gold Ball guests and on-line bidders from home jousted for prizes including an in-home sauna and tickets to see Pearl Jam at Wrigley field. Live Auction bidders dueled for a trip to The Ellen DeGeneres Show, a week stay at a Mexican villa, and tickets for Adele.

Use this link to view photos from the event.  Click here to see our royal guests posing with a dashing knight in shining armor.

Thank you to the gala heroes who attended the event, sponsored tables, purchased ads, donated prizes, created centerpieces, sewed banners, and supplied wine. We are grateful to all the creative children in Hephzibah’s Day Care, Foster Care, and Group Home who built more than 30 breathtaking dream castles from boxes, tubes, glitter and paint. Your décor brightened the event and helped connect us to the talented young dreamers we strive to support.