11th Annual Hope Awards Dinner
Exec. Director Kris Thompson with Sandra Evers-Manly, emcee Steve Rudin, and Board President Tracy Ballard.
For the past 11 years, Calvary Women’s Services has honored individuals in the community who offer hope and support to women in need at our annual Hope Awards Dinner. Last Wednesday, we were proud to celebrate two outstanding women.
ABC News Special Correspondent Katie Couric accepted her award via video – you can see it here if you missed it! Sandra Evers-Manly of Northrop Grumman and the Northrop Grumman Foundation spoke about living life by the letter L: “Love. Lift. Lead. Learn. Laugh. Listen with your heart.” Inspired by the women at Calvary and by Calvary’s upcoming expansion, she pledged that her family and Northrop Grumman will provide some of the furnishings and appliances for our new home.
Steve Rudin of ABC7/WJLA-TV led the live auction.
Steve Rudin of ABC7/WJLA-TV joined us as the emcee for the evening and started off by leading the energetic live auction. There was fierce bidding competition – we auctioned off a house in Hilton Head, a Washington Capitals package including a hockey stick signed by Nicklas Backstrom, a Caribbean vacation on the island of Nevis, a trip to Boston to see the Red Sox vs. Yankees game, and a trip to Las Vegas complete with a stay in a penthouse for the weekend.
One woman shared her story of coming to Calvary Women’s Services and regaining hope as she works towards independence. Guests also got to see the premiere of a video showing the transformation going on behind the scenes at Calvary’s new home on Good Hope Road. With the move to Anacostia only weeks away, it was exciting to celebrate this exciting achievement with our Hope Awards guests.
Board member Kymber Messersmith celebrates onstage at the Hope Awards
This year’s Hope Awards Dinner shattered records! We saw our greatest turnout yet, with over 200 Calvary supporters joining us for the evening. With the help of these friends and our corporate sponsors, the Hope Awards was able to raise an amazing $250,000 this year (that’s $100,000 more than last year)!
Thank you to everyone who made this memorable celebration possible. Here’s a couple of photos from the evening, but you can check out our gallery on Flickr for even more photos.