On Thursday, March 12, our team was in the exciting and final stages of preparing for an evening of mission, fundraising, community, and laughter with some of our closest supporters and new friends of Gilda’s Club! On the morning of Friday, October 2, we were in the position of making the difficult decision to cancel a much-anticipated evening with Jeff Foxworthy. Who would have known that six months later we’d collectively still be navigating this challenging environment?
We have been working creatively with our team, board, vendors and Mr. Foxworthy to find a way to enable this October event to happen while achieving the intended goal of raising awareness and critical funds for Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids’ free cancer and grief emotional health support program. After exploring many options, and, considering our current COVID environment and Michigan Department of Health and Human Service’s Emergency Order regarding indoor gatherings, we regret to share that we are making the difficult decision to cancel our 2020 Signature Event featuring Jeff Foxworthy.
Our namesake, Gilda Radner once said, “Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what’s going to happen next.” As a non-profit organization relying 100% on charitable gifts and large fundraising events such as this one, and given today’s economic environment, we know the year ahead will be challenging. We may not know what is going to happen next, but we do know this: Gilda’s Club remains committed to serving individuals and families with our mission of emotional health support for those on a cancer or grief journey. Cancer and grief do not take a break, even during COVID.
We are seriously thankful to the event sponsors, table hosts and individual guests who have generously donated their original event sponsorship back to Gilda’s Club to ensure the continuation of our mission!
2020 ENTERTAINMENT & DINNER SPONSOR
HIGH FIVE MATCH SPONSORS
2020 CONTRIBUTOR SPONSOR
2020 SIGNATURE EVENT DONOR TABLE HOSTS
David Morgenstern Dawn & Richard Anotonini
Dr. Sara and Bruce Uekert Janet & Mark Nisbett
2020 SIGNATURE EVENT FRIEND TABLE HOSTS
Anonymous BDO USA, LLP Cascade Engineering
Citizens Commercial Bank Consumer’s Credit Union Eenhoorn LLC
Founders Brewing Company Gerald R. Ford International Airport*
Grand Valley State University Kent Companies, Inc.
Marilyn Titche Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital
Metro Health – University of Michigan Health Michelle & Kevin Bassett
Midwest Lumber Remembering Eric – Fight Childhood Cancer
SoundOff Signal* The Kloostra Family Foundation
The Sawyer Group – Robert W. Baird & Co Varnum, LLP* Wells Fargo
2020 DINNER & SHOW DONORS
Aaron James & Al Mracna Bethann Talsma Bissell Inc. Boar’s Head
Bob Miller Cameron YoungChristina Fleeman & Steven Boersma
DeCour Family Janice Palczewski Jean Tingley Joel & Susan Wolfe
King Milling Co/Brian Doyle Leslee & Bill Hardebeck Lisa & Paul Philips
Paula R. Tibbe & Todd Osbeck Sue & Dave Maas
Susan & Philip Eversden Valerie Jordan Xuesi Li & Jeff Gurney
ADDITIONAL DONATIONS PROVIDED BY
13 On Your Side CS Tool Engineering, Inc. Experience Grand Rapids
Fence Consultants HealthBridge Financial
Smith, Haughey, Rice & Roegge Townsquare Media Kris & Brian Nylaan
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE IMPACT OF GILDA’S CLUB DIRECTLY FROM OUR MEMBERS
Despite not being able to gather, we wanted to make sure you had the opportunity to hear firsthand from our members about how Gilda’s Club is truly changing lives. We’re sorry to share that since filming the video, one of the members David, has died of his cancer diagnosis.