This event is a celebration of our mission and life changing services. Proceeds will fund critically needed early intervention for thousands of families across the community.
McNamara Alumni Center University of Minnesota | 200 SE Oak Street, Minneapolis 5:30 P.M. RECEPTION Drinks and small bites, silent auction opens 6:00 P.M. MAIN EVENT Silent and live auctions, dinner, program 9:30 P.M. LATE NIGHT LOUNGE Music, cocktails, auction check-out
Cocktail attire | Complimentary wine and beer | Cash bar Complimentary parking | University Avenue Parking Ramp | 1926 University Avenue SE
For questions about the event email Betsy Rogers at brogers@stdavidscenter.org.
For more information on sponsoring our 2023 event, contact Maureen Walsh, Chief Advancement and Strategy Officer, at mwalsh@stdavidscenter.org.
Purchase a table for 8-10 guests.
Table
Purchase individual tickets.
Individual Tickets
Can’t join us in person? Participate in the silent auction or make a donation to show your support of St. David’s Center!
For questions regarding event attendance, please email Betsy Rogers at brogers@stdavidscenter.org.
For most children, nightmares fade upon waking. For four-year-old Kai, however, deep-seated fear was something that he carried with him into the real world. When Kai was three, a terribly traumatic experience impacted him profoundly. While sleeping at daycare, he was struck by a two-by-four wielded by his daycare provider’s boyfriend—a blow intended for his caregiver—and then witnessed brutal violence against her.
While Kai’s physical wounds healed, his emotional scars did not. After the incident, he experienced severe separation anxiety, feared sleeping alone, and regressed developmentally. Triggered by sightings of men who resembled his assailant, he would become hysterical and inconsolable.
Familiar with St. David’s Center through services received by their oldest daughter, Kai’s parents’ decision to reach out was a natural one. Now, after two years of family and occupational therapy at the Harman Center, Kai is making great strides—learning to trust again when his parents can’t be right at his side and discovering how he can control his body. “I feel more optimistic now and confident that he’s going to succeed,” affirms his mom.
To help light the way for thousands of children like Kai, consider attending or donate today.
Natalie Demko has defied the odds literally from the moment of her birth. During her otherwise uneventful pregnancy, at 32 weeks, as a result of a detached placenta, Katie was rushed into surgery. By the time doctors were able to deliver Natalie, she had been without oxygen for at least seven minutes. At two pounds, 15 ounces, she was placed on hospice, fearing she would not survive the night. But survive she did, and a new chapter of care and treatment began to help Natalie reach her full potential. For Katie and her husband Neil, they are sure she’ll reach all her goals “on Nattie time.” “To see her being an integral, essential part of the classroom—and that’s because of the way that St. David’s is set up—it makes me realize that so much more is possible than I had even thought of.”
To help light the way for thousands of young people like Natalie, consider attending or donate today.
For 34 years, the annual Make Them Shine Gala has brought together many of the Twin Cities’ most influential decision-makers at our premiere event that raises donations and awareness through corporate sponsorships, silent and live auctions featuring exclusive and once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and a fund-a-need program highlighting families impacted by our services. In 2023, our fundraising goal is $650,000.
For every $1 you invest in early education and intervention, there is up to a $17 return. A child who gets access to early intervention has a greater chance for success. They enter kindergarten more prepared, they are less reliant on special education and government programs, and they are more likely to graduate and remain on a path to higher economic potential.
PAY FOR SPONSORSHIP
Become a Sponsor
At St. David’s Center for Child & Family Development, we rely on more than 500 volunteers annually to support our mission-driven work through a variety of hands-on volunteer opportunities. Our Make Them Shine Gala is our largest volunteer event of the year, and your time and talent are crucial to creating an event that will raise over $650,000 for our organization.
With your help, we will be able to reach more families across Minnesota, with services in children’s mental health, parental support, early childhood education, and early intervention. When you volunteer at St. David’s Center, you make a lasting impact.
Saturday, March 11, 2023 Shift 1: 3:30 – 9:30PM Assist with event set up, registration, silent and live auctions, raffles, and other guest service roles. This shift includes a complimentary meal and snacks.
Shift 2: 7:00PM – 12:30AM Assist with event tear down, guest check out, silent auction packing, after party set up and other guest service roles. This shift includes a complimentary meal and snacks.
Full Night: 3:30PM – 12:30AM Assist with both shift 1 and 2 tasks. This shift includes a complimentary meal and snacks.
If you have questions related to volunteering for our event, please email Betsy Rogers at brogers@stdavidscenter.org.
Your gift directly supports our goal to reach more families across Minnesota with services in children’s mental health, parental support, early childhood education, and early intervention.
Cash Donation
Auction Donation
If you have questions, please feel free to contact Maureen Walsh at mwalsh@stdavidscenter.org.
We will continue to monitor guidance from the CDC and Minnesota Department of Health, and adhere to the COVID policies issued by McNamara Alumni Center.
For questions, please email Betsy Rogers at brogers@stdavidscenter.org.
Betsy Rogers Events Manager 952-548-8647
Maureen Walsh Chief Advancement and Strategy Officer
