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Both entrances to St. David’s Center in Minnetonka will be repaved Thursday and Friday this week, first the northern entrance (nearest the Big Playground), and then the southern (nearest Minnetonka Boulevard). This will cause a significant disruption to Plymouth Road and to entering/exiting St. David’s Center. Please allow for extra time on your commute. Close
St. David's Center 30th Annual Make Them Shine Gala

Make Them Shine.

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Thank you. We did it.

We set an ambitious goal for the 30th Annual Make Them Shine Gala – $450,000. We surpassed it, allowing us to reach even more children and families in need. With your generosity, we raised more than $459,000! We cannot thank you enough – attendees, sponsors, donors, and volunteers – you made our night!

I am grateful for the support I have gotten from St. David’s Center and the support they provide to my community. I am grateful to live in a progressive country that stands by my side.
Ijabo, Liiban's Mother

Why Attend?

For 30 years, individuals like you have been lighting the way at our annual St. David's Center Gala so that children of all abilities have the opportunity to shine their brightest.

In addition to supporting a worthy cause, it's a great reason to grab your friends for a splendid night out you're sure to remember. The food and wine will be abundant and a healthy dose of auction rivalry is sure to be in the air. You won't want to miss it!

Why It Matters.

The need is great. Our services are life-changing for the 4,000 families St. David's Center serves in early childhood education, early intervention and treatment, and life-phase services. The Make Them Shine Gala is our largest fundraising event of the year, raising $450,000 in one night. As a result, preschoolers start kindergarten ready for success, and children with developmental challenges build skills they need to function better in every area of their lives.

Thank you to our generous sponsors!

Light the Way Sponsor

 

Platinum Sponsors

 

Silent Auction Sponsor

 

Gold Sponsors

 

Kid’s Corner Sponsor

 

Volunteer Sponsor

 

 

Silver Sponsor

Make Them Shine.

Become A Sponsor Today

5:00 PM: VIP Reception

The celebration starts in the Johnson Great Room with an exclusive wine and craft beer tasting for our generous sponsors and table hosts.

6:00 PM: Main Event

A festive evening awaits, emceed by KARE 11's Rena Sarigianopoulos. Attendees delight in delectable hors d'oeuvres while perusing hundreds of items and opportunities available for bid in the silent auction. Complimentary wine and cash bar available.

Memorial Hall shines with sparkling lights and confetti as guests are seated to enjoy a gourmet dinner provided by D'Amico Catering. An inspirational program, rousing live auction, and dessert follows.

9:30 PM: Shine On Festivities

Continue your night with us! Join us for music, dancing, and late night libations.

Rena Sarigianopoulos

Event Emcee:

Rena Sarigianopoulos

Rena Sarigianopoulos is a reporter and co-anchor of Breaking the News on KARE 11. She has won regional Emmys as well as a National Edward R. Murrow Award for hard news reporting in 2012.

Rena came to KARE in 2005 after spending several years anchoring and reporting at WITI in Milwaukee. She has also worked in Madison, Wisconsin and Dubuque, Iowa.

Rena is from Ohio and graduated from Youngstown State University, home of course, of the fighting Penguins!

Frank Vascellaro

Auctioneer:

Frank Vascellaro

Frank has been an anchor in this community since 1996. Before coming to Minnesota, Frank worked at WAND-TV in Decatur, Ill. and at WHOI-TV in Peoria, Ill. as an anchor/reporter.

Growing up in Denver Co., Frank attended the United States Air Force Academy before transferring to the University of Colorado at Boulder. He later studied broadcasting at Columbia College in Chicago, Ill.

The Society of Professional Journalists recognized Frank with its broadcast award for Investigative Reporting in 2008. He was awarded the 2011 and 2012 Regional Emmy for Best Anchor. Frank and Amelia are deeply involved with the community and frequently serve as the master of ceremonies at some of the Twin Cities premier charity events.

Frank married Amelia in 1999 in Florence, Italy. They live in Minneapolis with their three kids — a son Sam and twins Joseph and Francesca — and two dogs.

Make Them Shine.

Become A Sponsor Today

Ticket sales for the 30th Annual Make Them Shine Gala have closed.

Contact Maureen Walsh at mwalsh@stdavidscenter.org for more information.

Volunteer Registration

Our window for 2019 volunteer registration is open! Click the button below to register today.

Register Today
Volunteering is a wonderful way to experience the magic of the gala—and when the main event is done—join the festivities! Please note volunteers must be 21 years of age or older.

 

Parking
Complimentary Parking is available at the University Avenue Parking Ramp

Address: 1926 University Avenue South East, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Note: Tell the attendant you are with St. David’s Center, no ticket is needed.

Volunteer Shift 1
3:30 PM – 9:30 PM

Your evening begins at 3:30 pm with volunteer check-in. At this time, you will be given your volunteer assignments, enjoy a complimentary meal and attend training. As the night continues you will have a variety of responsibilities as well as the opportunity to bid on silent auction items and purchase raffle tickets. At (approximately) 9:30 pm the gala ends and the festivities begin! Join the party with live music and dancing.

Volunteer Shift 2
8:30 PM – 12:30 AM

After check-in and orientation, volunteers will receive their assignments and attend a brief training session. You will receive complementary snacks as well. Support the Shine-On Festivities, help guests complete their silent auction purchases and disassemble the glitz and glamor from the main event.

Make Them Shine.

Become A Sponsor Today
St. David's Center is the best thing that ever happened to our family.
Emily, Ziggy's Mom

Contact

General Information

Maureen Walsh
Chief Advancement & Strategy Officer
952.548.8620
mwalsh@stdavidscenter.org

Email

General Information

Sponsorship/Purchase Tickets/Donate

Jim Thrubis
952-548-8627
jim.thrubis@stdavidscenter.org

Email

Sponsorship/Purchase Tickets/Donate

Volunteer

Emma Kopp
952-548-8629
emma.kopp@stdavidscenter.org

Email

Volunteer

Media

Maureen Walsh
Chief Advancement & Strategy Officer
952.548.8620
mwalsh@stdavidscenter.org

Email

Media
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