The StepUP® Gala on October 29 was a night of celebration for the StepUP Program, with a record-capacity crowd, a special guest appearance by Senator Amy Klobuchar, and generous support for StepUP’s students and the future of the program.
This year’s Gala generated nearly $500,000 for the program in one evening – with $150,000 raised from the Fund-a-Need. Thank you to the StepUP Board, the Gala committee, and co-chairs Gina Gage and Cindy Piper, for an evening to remember, which included some notable highlights:
• 500 guests in attendance
• 100+ StepUP Program alumni and students
• Barbara and Skip Gage and family received the Toby Piper LaBelle Award
• The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation received the inaugural Keystone Award
• Alumni speaker Peter Hubbard ’10 shared his experiences connecting students with alumni
Thanks to all who attended and made the event such a success!
StepUP Gala 2016 at Augsburg College Saturday Oct. 29. (photo by Courtney Perry)
StepUP Gala 2016 at Augsburg College Saturday Oct. 29. (photo by Courtney Perry)
StepUP Gala 2016 at Augsburg College Saturday Oct. 29. (photo by Courtney Perry)
StepUP Gala 2016 at Augsburg College Saturday Oct. 29. (photo by Courtney Perry)
Emcee Don Shelby kicked off the 2016 Gala for Hope — the largest gala in the event’s history.
Two awards presented at the StepUP Gala were the inaugural Keystone Award, presented to the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, and the Toby Piper LaBelle Award, presented to Barbara and Skip Gage and family.
Live auction items included a dinner prepared by Andrew Zimmern, Disney on Ice, and Cubs tickets.
StepUP Gala 2016 at Augsburg College Saturday Oct. 29. (photo by Courtney Perry)
Alumni speaker Peter Hubbard ’10 addressed his experience in the StepUP Program and his continued work connecting students with alumni. (photo by Courtney Perry)
Peter Hubbard paid tribute to his wife, Annie ’10. (photo by Courtney Perry)
StepUP Gala 2016 at Augsburg College Saturday Oct. 29. (photo by Courtney Perry)
StepUP Gala 2016 at Augsburg College Saturday Oct. 29. (photo by Courtney Perry)
Toby Piper LaBelle Award recipients, Skip and Barbara Gage, with Senator Amy Klobuchar.
More than a hundred StepUP students and alumni stepped up on stage to celebrate recovery and hope.
StepUP Gala 2016 at Augsburg College Saturday Oct. 29. (photo by Courtney Perry)
Peter Hubbard ’10 and Patrice Salmeri.
More than 500 attended the StepUP Gala for Hope–making this StepUP’s largest-ever gala.
StepUP Advisory Board members attending the gala included gala co-chairs Cindy Piper and Gina Gage.
The family of Barbara and Skip Gage celebrated the family as honored recipients of the Toby Piper LaBelle Award.
StepUP Gala 2016 at Augsburg College Saturday Oct. 29. (photo by Courtney Perry)
StepUP Gala 2016 at Augsburg College Saturday Oct. 29. (photo by Courtney Perry)
Senator Amy Klobuchar and Augsburg President Paul C. Pribbenow.
StepUP Gala 2016 at Augsburg College Saturday Oct. 29. (photo by Courtney Perry)
StepUP Gala 2016 at Augsburg College Saturday Oct. 29. (photo by Courtney Perry)
Patrice thanked Sen. Klobuchar for her support and long commitment to serving Minnesotans in recovery.
StepUP Gala 2016 at Augsburg College Saturday Oct. 29. (photo by Courtney Perry)
StepUP Gala 2016 at Augsburg College Saturday Oct. 29. (photo by Courtney Perry)
StepUP Gala 2016 at Augsburg College Saturday Oct. 29. (photo by Courtney Perry)
StepUP Gala 2016 at Augsburg College Saturday Oct. 29. (photo by Courtney Perry)
StepUP board member Toby Piper LaBelle addressed gala guests.
StepUP board chair Mike Sime and alumni speaker Peter Hubbard ’10.
StepUP Gala 2016 at Augsburg College Saturday Oct. 29. (photo by Courtney Perry)
StepUP Gala 2016 at Augsburg College Saturday Oct. 29. (photo by Courtney Perry)
StepUP Gala 2016 at Augsburg College Saturday Oct. 29. (photo by Courtney Perry)
StepUP Gala 2016 at Augsburg College Saturday Oct. 29. (photo by Courtney Perry)
StepUP Gala 2016 at Augsburg College Saturday Oct. 29. (photo by Courtney Perry)
StepUP board chair Mike Sime presents the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation with the Keystone Award.
StepUP Gala co-chair Cindy Piper.
Barbara and Skip Gage accepted the LaBelle Award in honor of their family’s commitment to access and inclusiveness at Augsburg.
Barbara and Skip Gage accepted the LaBelle Award in honor of their family’s commitment to access and inclusiveness at Augsburg.
Meet Charlie pictured on the right. A Great Dane who joined the students on campus this last week for part of the finals week therapy dog visit. Weighing in at 160 pounds and over 6 feet tall Charlie, along with many other dogs and their owners, was a delight to have on campus.
Playing with these dogs was a great stress relief before finals. Students would gather around in different locations on campus such as the Lindell Library and the Christensen Center to release some stress before they went studying for finals. The dogs were well behaved and loved the attention. I could just simply take a step away from my paper in the library and receive some kisses from the dogs and then get back to work, I loved it.
Finals week therapy dog visits are just another great benefit students receive from being an Auggie. A huge thank you goes out to the owners who were willing to help us end the semester on a good note.
m the dogs and then get back to work, I loved it.