“A New Chapter” in St. Ann Center’s ongoing story was the focus of the 21st annual gala on Friday, August 1 at the Pritzlaff Building in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward. For full photo coverage, visit this link: https://doubleyou-photography.instaproofs.com/St-Ann-Center-Gala-2025
More than 100 guests mingled during the cocktail hour engaged in a variety of activities, from sampling the complimentary bourbon and fine chocolate pairings in the courtyard, to nibbling on passed trays of hot and chilled appetizers, to perusing offerings on the silent auction table – among them, a five-course tasting menu for 4 at Bartolotta’s Lake Park Bistro; a three-piece set of hard-sided luggage with travel accessories; a compact rolling cart overflowing with craft supplies; and even a pickleball set perfect for pros and beginners alike. Other guests struck poses at photo station (featuring ginormous SAC steel letters), tried their luck at pulling a cork at the popular Wine Pull to win a bottle to take home, or browsed vintage and hand-crafted jewelry made by Kelly Lonergan, niece of Founder Sister Edna Lonergan and carrying on a gala tradition her aunt had initiated as “Art in Jewels.”
New this year: the Destination Station, where a variety of national and international trip opportunities awaited in both silent and live auctions, thanks to a partnership with the American Fundraising Foundation – AmFund.
Emcee Brooke Brighton, Spectrum News meteorologist, presided over the first hour of the event, with guests jokingly thanking her for providing clear skies and moderate temperatures for the gala. She told the crowd she’d toured the Bucyrus Campus the previous month and had been impressed not just by St. Ann Center’s mission and beautiful facility, but also the caring exhibited by staff toward the adults and children in their care.
The crowd was surprised as she introduced Auctioneer Todd Scheel of Exciting Events and he announced the first live auction of the evening: the chance for one table to be the first to go through the buffet line!
“I thought he was kidding!” remarked one guest, at a non-winning table. But Table 1 took the honor for $500 after a bit of energetic bidding.f
When everyone had finished dinner and dessert, people stretched their legs – and arms! – with a round of another gala tradition, Heads or Tails and then a spirited session of Last Bid Standing, before settling in for the live auction – not just the trips to Barcelona, Spain, and Florence, Italy, but also a year’s complimentary membership at The Wisconsin Club, a certificate for a catered party by Zilli Hospitality Group, an Art Tour and Cocktail Party for 30 at the Nunemaker Mansion, and a chance to live the “suite life” at a Brewers Games with 13 of your Brew Crew.
Then, the crowd heard stories of how St. Ann Center changes the lives of clients and their caregivers. But, as both Board Chairman Tim Sullivan and new President and CEO Derek Goodman reminded the crowd, St. Ann Center needs the help of donors like those in the room – the true heroes of St. Ann Center’s ongoing story – to keep it as a resource for children, adults and caregivers in the community. It was a challenge those donors heeded as they raised their paddles afterward, committing to donations ranging from $100 to $10,000.
