With Gratitude: Reflecting on a Meaningful Year and an Unforgettable Gala
As we reflect on 2025, our hearts are full.
This year’s Snow Approach Foundation Gala marked a meaningful milestone for us — it was the first time we celebrated in our own space, and it was our fourth celebration overall.
We are so very grateful to all of our sponsors, along with the families and individuals who care deeply about our mission. Your generosity — in so many different forms — made this year, and this celebration, truly special.
During the Gala, we installed 15 commemorative bricks in the cottage walkway to honor lives and love. Each one represents a story, a connection, and a reason this work matters.
The evening was filled with thoughtful details and shared joy.
The charcuterie board was just amazing — so many terrific things to taste and nibble on. The presentation on Luther’s handcrafted cherry tree bar with cedar posts was a visual highlight, thanks to Theresa’s special care and attention.
The dessert table, created and prepared by Starfish Bakery and sponsored by Linda and Jim’s family, brought smiles all around.
We were surrounded by friends and supporters who raised their voices — and their cheers — together.
Music played a powerful role in the evening. We were honored to have two very special bands, The Claytones and Orange County Lockdown, both connected to people who lived with brain change and dementia and have since passed away, leaving daughters who have chosen to continue legacy work. Our heartfelt thanks to Chelsea, Matt, Ian, Sara, and their teams.
Our vision of intergenerational community was beautifully on display. Benji joined Shelly and Sara to sing our theme song, “One Voice” by The Wailin’ Jennys.
We also celebrated Vic and Cynthia, along with their daughter Lauren and grandsons, who traveled from Italy to receive their Youth Change-Makers Award. Joined by Manda on piano, Benji on ukulele, Braden and Benji on mic, the music teacher, and The Claytones, we all sang together to “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”
The evening closed with Benji, Braden, and the music teacher leading us all in “Sweet Caroline,” filling the space with joy, laughter, and connection.
Before the Gala, Mark coordinated support from FFA officers and their leader, who helped clean and improve the back patio area, side hill, and back hill — a meaningful gift of time and effort.
Luther created a colorful late fall–early winter garden for everyone to enjoy and prepared over 30 living flower centerpieces, which were available for purchase after the Gala and found new homes.
We are especially grateful to Ray, whose support throughout the event meant so much. He donated an electric guitar and amplifier to the Snow Approach Foundation — already enjoyed by several musicians — and shared beautiful photos and videos honoring his wife, Juleen, a central figure in our call for caring and skill-based care as part of the culture change needed when living with dementia.
The Silent Auction was another highlight, raising nearly $20,000 through outstanding donations — artwork, jewelry, crafts, classes, vacations, and special offerings for families, pets, and groups.
We are deeply thankful for Susan’s top-quality eggnog and quilted carry bags, Ann’s beautifully felted granny, and Dick, Lisa Oakley’s’s blown glasswork. Special appreciation goes to Shelly, who entered over 100 items and carefully tracked their sales.
We are also incredibly grateful to the mentors who traveled to run Certification courses immediately before the Gala and then stayed to help prepare for and support the event — Alejandro, Missy, Kasey, Matthew, and Rocio. Additional thanks to Christine and Lisa, who came in from out of town, and to all team members who supported us from afar.
A final special thank-you to Laura Lavoie, one of our PAC Mentors, who created stunning jewelry pieces for donation — a true hot ticket of the evening.
We also want to acknowledge, with sincere appreciation, that there are many more people who contributed their time, talent, energy, and heart to making this year — and this Gala — so meaningful. While we have named many, we know we have not named everyone, and for that, we offer our genuine apologies. Please know that every act of support, whether seen or unseen, mattered deeply. This celebration was truly a collective effort, and we are profoundly grateful to each and every person who made it possible.
Thank you for being part of this community and this journey.
Warmly,
Teepa and the Snow Approach Foundation team
