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.
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.
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 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.
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.