Raleigh, North Carolina
As I type this, I am sitting in the San Francisco Airport waiting for my flight to Raleigh, North Carolina. I am headed to attend one of my highlights of every year…The National Inclusion Project Champions Gala.
This year, the Gala is a month earlier than usual, but it looks like the weather will be perfect! Titled The Magic of A Smile, this is the 11th Annual Champions Gala.
To me, meeting and listening to the honorees is something I always look forward to. This year, the honorees are:
Gracie & Quincy Latkovski, Lowe’s Home Improvement, and Richie Parker. Each honoree has a wonderful story to share with all of us. You can read about them at the National Inclusion Project website. Click on GALA
Another highlight of the week-end event is the auctions. I love wandering through the rows of exciting things that are a part of the silent auction. I am amazed at how creative some people are when they put together wonderful prizes to help raise needed money. And the live auctions…how fun to see so many people involved in trying to win something special. And check out the back cover of the program. I can’t wait to see the CANN ad!!
Getting to hear the wonderful entertainment is always wonderful. I look forward to seeing and hearing Ben Cohn at the piano and I think that this week-end we might have a few more musicians there to help out. Of course, hearing and seeing Clay Aiken is going to be outstanding. Nobody sings and entertains better than Clay Aiken.
I also look forward to seeing all my fabulous friends. Some of you I have met many times and some I will meet for the first time. I hope you will come up and introduce yourself.It is always fun to put a face with a name.
I do hope you all will be a bit patient with me for the next few days…I will post each day and try to keep you posted about all that is happening…HOWEVER…my schedule just might be really off. If I miss the deadline for the e-mail, I hope you will check out the site to read. I am looking forward to chatting with people in the lobby, restaurant, and bar at the Marriott…so..I hope you will have patience with me!!!
One half of the Long Brothers
So…here I go…Off to Raleigh with a short stop in Chicago!!
What an exciting week-end!!
There's Martha (musicfan) standing in that lovely black and silver striped dress with those other fine ladies! That's just in case some of you don't know what she looks like! Can't wait to see you and everybody else that's going. It's going to be magical!! I want a selfie with Clay! *wishful thinking*
Thanks Gaymarie! Now I know what Martha looks like. I'm very grateful to her for replying to my queries about Clay before. I so would like to meet her in person and all of you wonderful ladies who have been supporting Clay all these years. More power to all of you and have a safe trip to Raleigh. Goodluck with the "selfie" too:)
Have a great trip! Can’t wait to hear about the Gala.
I know all of you who are lucky enough to be able to go to the Gala. I know all of you are going to have a WONDERFUL time. I'm so happy for all of you. GET YOUR SELFIES!!! Take tons of pictures and post them for me!!!!! Have fun!!!
Have a safe trip Martha!!! I so wish I could be there. I'm so jealous of all of you who will be there at the gala. Someday, somehow I will be able to attend too. GOD willing… Anyway, I'm sure it will be so much fun. May this year's fund raising be more successful than last year. Thank you so much for all the updates. Can't wait for the ones from the gala itself 😉
I will be arriving in Raleigh late this afternoon
It's going to be a great weekend!!!!! Hope to meet lots of people.
Esther
I will be arriving in Raleigh late afternoon today. Hope to meet a lot of people and have a fun weekend!!!
Esther (Fanofclaymusic )
sounds wonderful, wish I could be there but will be in spirit, I wish everyone a great time, thanks Martha for all your work keeping us posted. Xox