Woven Together to Do Good: Recapping the 2024 CHOICE Gala

The energy was electric at this year’s CHOICE Humanitarian Gala, a night dedicated to celebrating our mission and uniting for meaningful impact. Our gala brought together supporters, donors, volunteers, and staff in a vibrant display of generosity and shared vision for the future.

The results? The most successful gala in CHOICE history for raising unrestricted funding. Read on for the recap of a truly unforgettable evening.

A Theme with Deep Meaning

The evening’s atmosphere was guided by our 2024 gala theme, Woven in Strength. Inspired by a women’s weaving cooperative in Peru—one that CHOICE has supported over several years—the artisans craft beautiful basket items with straw. On average, the items can take up to 60 hours to complete and require between 10 to 50 feet of straw. They then sell their goods at the market to earn incomes and support their families. These women are shining examples of resilience, creativity, and collaboration.

At the gala, we not only highlighted these artisans by sharing their stories, photos, and videos, but we also custom-ordered a wide variety of their baskets and showcased them as table centerpieces decor. Guests had the opportunity to bid on them and take home their very own handcrafted token of strength.

The theme of Woven in Strength was an insightful thread that touched on many concepts throughout the night, and it weaved together a truly beautiful tapestry of storytelling, emotions, and unity.

Dinner, Connections, and Stories of Impact

Sold out with over 350 guests in attendance, the room was filled to the brim with philanthropists and global citizens and included both long-time advocates of CHOICE and individuals learning about CHOICE for the first time. Guests enjoyed a Peruvian-inspired menu and socialized with friends during both the reception and the dinner.

The venue, the Natural History Museum of Utah, was a gorgeous setting and brought a sense of authenticity and rural heritage to the event that aligned seamlessly with CHOICE’s global work with indigenous communities.

Program speakers included Heather Cruz, CHOICE CEO, and Teresa Larsen, Chair of the Board of Directors for CHOICE, who both shared stirring remarks about CHOICE’s impact in disrupting global poverty.

In a very special exchange, the James B. Mayfield Humanitarian Award was presented by Jim Mayfield to this year’s honoree, Dr. Timothy S. Evans. Read more about the award presentation here.

Additional program participants included Emily Evangelista (Certified Expedition Leader for CHOICE and passionate supporter) as our MC, and Viva Peru USA, a Utah-based cultural entertainment group that performed exuberant Peruvian dance numbers.

The Auctions and Paddles Up!

The evening’s excitement peaked with a fun and fast-moving live auction, skillfully led by auctioneer Tom Riles, who had the room buzzing with friendly competitiveness as guests bid on unique packages and travel experiences.

The silent auction was another shopping experience that guests could participate in before the dinner and program. Guests perused a curated selection of country marketplace goods, local business items, and exclusive offerings.

The most invigorating moment of the night was the abundant generosity of guests during the special appeal. Every hand raised and every bid placed was a step closer to changing more lives, and thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we exceeded our fundraising goal. This incredible outpouring will allow us to expand our reach and enhance our programs, directly impacting the communities we serve.

A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Sponsors, Contributors, and Guests

To our amazing sponsors, contributors, and guests who helped make this year’s gala a remarkable success, we extend our deepest gratitude. Your support and dedication fuel our work and empower the communities we serve. From our global staff and volunteer team, thank you for an unforgettable evening that proved anything is possible when we work together to disrupt extreme poverty.

To see more photos from our amazing night, check out the Facebook album here.

SPONSORS

• Global: Christopherson Business Travel
• Country: ASEA Advancing Life Foundation
• Community: Cottonwood Title
• Community: Diamond Event & Tent
• Woven: Parsons Behle & Latimer
• Woven: VCBO Architecture
• Woven: Blooms & Company

AUCTION CONTRIBUTORS

• Live Auction and Premium Select
  • Black Desert Resort
  • Tuacahn Amphitheatre
  • Diane and Mike Bumstead
  • Julee and Kyle Bateman
  • Krista and Jim Sorenson
  • Melanie and Paul Lyon
  • Bret Van Leeuwen
  • Delta Air Lines through its partnership with Christopherson Business Travel
  • Maple Grove Hot Springs
  • Jess and Brady Dahl
  • William Hagen
  • Peter and Joan Grant
  • Linda and Kimball Orton
  • Irene and Chris Monson
  • Randy Thornton and Dive Addicts
  • Beka Price Photography
  • Heidi and Dan Nelsen
    
    
• Local Contributors
  
  • Lindi Rancie
  • Teresa Larsen
  • Kim Mordue
  • Taste Chocolate
  • Weixen Le
  • Utah Hockey Club
  • Made With Cozy
  • Gabb
  • San Diablo Churros
  • Cafe Rio Mexican Grill
  • Utah Museum of Fine Arts
  • Hale Center Theatre
  • Seattle Kraken Hockey
  • Campbell Companies & Wheeler Machinery Co.
  • DTA Tumbling

• Field Contributors 
  • Jesús Es Amor, women's cooperative (Peru)
    • Nimia Chiroque Chapiliquen
    • Janet Silvia Sernaque
    • Maria Janet Silva Silva
    • Mariela Silva Chiroque
    • Magaly Taboada Sandoval
    • Dora Elizabeth Silva Vilchez
    • Alexia Zapata Silva
    • Emmy Sosa Ramos
    • Margarita Zapata Silva
    • Debora Taboda Sandoval 
  • CHOICE Humanitarian Bolivia team
  • CHOICE Humanitarian Ecuador team
  • CHOICE Humanitarian Guatemala team
  • CHOICE Humanitarian Kenya team
  • CHOICE Humanitarian Mexico team 
  • CHOICE Humanitarian Nepal team 
  • CHOICE Humanitarian Peru team 
  • CHOICE Humanitarian Central Office 
  • Gad of Miguel Igas (Ecuador)
  • UNICPAL in San Pablo, women's cooperative (Ecuador)
  • Iluman, women's cooperative (Ecuador)
  • Mayor of Urcuquí (Ecuador)
  • Association Ceravic, women's organization (Ecuador)
  • Women's cooperative of Plaza Gutierrez (Ecuador)
  • Women's cooperative of Totora in San Rafael (Ecuador) 
  • Fabiola Churuchumbi, artisan (Ecuador)
  • Guarango cooperative of Tumbabiro (Ecuador)
  • Panera cooperative (Ecuador)
  • Efilia Zubieta Ergueta, artisan (Bolivia)
  • Juana Quispe Pacheco, artisan (Bolivia)
  • Maria Pillco de Zenteno, artisan (Bolivia)
  • Juana Salas Rada, artisan (Bolivia)