Perhaps you’ve been hearing echoes of jubilant cheer coming from PAX headquarters. We are still over-the-moon excited by the overflowing PaxLove which filled the Astor Hotel Grand Ballroom at the Gold Gala. While donations continue to trickle in, we can confidently report that over $30,000 was raised at the Gala!
As we reflect upon the “golden” affair, we find ourselves feeling overcome with gratitude for all the individuals who contributed to the phenomenal success.
As fellow board members, we are grateful to one another. Each of us selflessly dedicates countless hours of time, energy and love to PAX all year round. We are an all-volunteer Board; each of us has a full-time job and collectively we parent thirteen, very busy, cherished children. We pay tribute to our past board members, in particular our beloved founder Sara Santiago. Sara founded PAX in 2012, at a time when Paxton’s family and friends were simply not capable. In addition to being a gift to the warriors and families we support, PAX is a tremendous gift to those of us who stay connected with Paxton’s beautiful life-spark through the work that we do in his name and in his honor. For her efforts, Sara will forever be Paxton’s cherished Earth angel.
We are evermore grateful for our generous Gold Gala sponsors. For the third year in a row, our corporate sponsorship alone covered the entire cost of the event. In turn, 100% of the funds raised during the Gold Gala will directly support our brave warriors. Our sponsors include: Duane Hunter, from Urns Unlimited, who is a returning 18-karat sponsor this year. Duane is a steadfast donor – who once again among our most charitable donors. We are indebted to him for always…and then a little bit longer. We are also thrilled to acquire a powerhouse sponsor in the Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers organization also committed a 18K sponsorship. At the 24K sponsorship level was Mangold Creative and InCheck. Mangold has been a tremendous support to PAX for the past two years; InCheck has been a contributor since 2013! These two businesses do far more than offer financial donations throughout the year. They have welcomed us into their giant hearts and made PAX a member of their corporate families. For their unwavering support, we extend a surplus of sweet PaxLove.
We also extend a heart-felt thank you to our volunteers, affectionately referred to as our Army of Love. This includes our dynamic volunteers who helped at the Gala, those who work to prepare, package and deliver healthy meals for our warrior families, and those who have volunteered at PaxFest – and in countless other ways throughout the year. Without their help, we wouldn’t be able to keep our programs running as efficiently as we do.
We would be remiss if we did not recognize the inspiring warriors and the families we support. We are continually amazed and honored by the way in which they open their homes and hearts to us. They entrust us with some of the most intimate details of their family lives, during excruciatingly difficult times. We have been invited to share in some amazing victories and celebrations, and we have cried with them – and for them – during moments no parent or child should have to endure.
Last but not least, we are forever thankful to the beautiful, blue-eyed little boy who continues to inspire the very best in each of us. We are humbly honored to serve as your ambassador (and your biggest fans) in spreading your magical life-spark across the land.
We PaxLove you, one and all.
xoxo
PAX Board of Directors
Danna, Amy, Erin, Liz, Allison, Dan, Matt and Meg
