Special to the Times Vedette
Tori’s Angels Foundation will hold its annual gala on Saturday, Sept. 13 at the Guthrie County Fairgrounds in Guthrie Center beginning at 5:30 p.m. This year, the theme is “Angels Under the Big Top,” and the event is shaping up to be exciting and fun.
A live auction and silent auction will be held, and attendees will hear from several Tori’s Angels families including its namesake, Tori Heckman. Many people have followed Tori’s journey through the years, and event organizers say the fact that she has “graduated” from being a supported child in the organization illustrates her fighting spirit. Organizers also say she is a living testament to what can happen with superior medical care and community support.
“Our mission is to help Iowa families who have a child with a life-threatening illness or condition,” Julie Dent-Zajicek, president of Tori’s Angels Foundation, says. “Among other services, our 501c3 non-profit organization provides financial support by paying for medical expenses that insurance does not cover, including insurance co-pays, deductibles, travel costs to obtain medical treatment and more.”
This assistance relieves some of the financial burden associated with having a child who needs help and allows families to seek the best available care for their child anywhere in the country.
Tori’s Angels Foundation began in 2011 and has helped 186 families since that time. It continues to add 25 to 30 children each year, which organizers say is both good and bad.
“It is sad that so many Iowa children have life-threatening illnesses, but it is gratifying to know that Tori’s Angels Foundation is ready and available to help them,” Dent-Zajicek says.
This growing need means fundraising is critical to the long-range success and solvency of the organization, and the fall gala is the organization’s biggest event of the year. Individual tickets are $125 each and tables of eight can be purchased for $1,000. Availability is limited. Call JoAnn Alumbaugh at 641-431-0257 or email her at joann.alumbaugh@gmail.comto reserve your spot today.
“We are so appreciative of the generous donations that individuals and businesses in our local communities have given us in the past,” Alumbaugh says. “We look forward to seeing many of you on Sept. 13, and we thank you for your continued support.”