EnCourage Kids Foundation Hosts 34th Annual Gala Honoring Top Real Estate Executives

This past Thursday, the enCourage Kids held its 34^th Annual Gala. I had the honor to attend and I was blown away by the entire evening. Ryan Field, ABC 7 Sports Anchor was such an incredible emcee. I laughed, cried, danced, enjoyed great food and moreover, was so moved by the speeches by Michele Hall Duncan, President & CEO – enCourage Kids Foundation, Ketrin Hazell (Miss Wheelchair 2018) and the two honorees,Kevin M. Donner of Cushman & Wakefield and Jason D. Hernandez of Nuveen Real Estate. Jeff Gural, Chair was on his A-game as well by matching the evening's proceeds which was such a generous and heartfelt thing to do on his part.The enCourage kids gala is the largest fundraising event. Over 600 guests attended from the real estate, banking, and finance industries. Celebrity guests included Super Bowl Champion Howard Cross, NFL Legend Erik Coleman, Actor/Singer/Songwriter DeeMo and American Professional Boxer Monte Barrett who were all so inspired and touched by the cause. "It is a night to celebrate the work of this outstanding organization and support the ongoing needs of these children who spend their time in the hospitals," stated Howard Cross. "I love how there are so many programs that provide children with such different levels of comfort so they don't face their fears alone and can do it with a smile," said Erik Coleman. I wrote a song HERO and to me, these kids are my true HERO'S," said DeeMo. "It was great to have a few of the children and their families enjoying the night with us. We are so blessed to have raised over a million dollars this year that will go to our programs and help sick kids across the country," stated Michele Hall Duncan.

For more information, visit: www.encourage-kids.org