BACK IN THE SADDLE

Childhelp’s annual Drive the Dream Gala returns for a Western-themed evening

BY JORDAN MORENO / PHOTO BY SCOTT FOUST STUDIO

Prepare for Grammy-award winning entertainment, exquisite dinner fare and an exciting live auction to benefit Childhelp Children’s Center of Arizona, which has provided treatment, intervention and investigation services to 150,000 child survivors of abuse and neglect since its opening in 1998.

In its 19th year, Drive the Dream Gala invites guests to its annual black tie optional event, with just one catch – boots are welcome. The Western-themed event, which will take place at Feb. 18 at The Phoenician, will be headlined by country superstar Clint Black.

Each year, the organization’s signature fundraising event draws celebrities, dignitaries and donors from across America to support Childhelp’s lifesaving programs, which have served more than 12 million children through 63 years.

Emceed by television personalities Melissa Peterman and Rex Linn, other Drive the Dream acts include Western swing great Red Steagall, Nate Nathan & The MacDaddy-Os, Rosevelt Rawls, and Steve Amerson. Co-chairs Sheila and Mike Ingram, Kim and Rod Cullum, and vice chairs Carol and Jim Hebets prepare to giddyup for the kids.

“When my wife Sheila and I worked with our co-chairs Kim and Rod Cullum, we decided we wanted to create a fun event where you could raise millions of dollars but still show up in cowboy hats and boots,” Mike Ingram says. “Childhelp’s Children’s Advocacy Center has miniature horses in the halls. These therapy animals not only comfort children in crisis but follow those lil’ recovering cowpokes all the way through their testimonies in court. That’s something special to celebrate. It’s all about getting these kids back in the saddle.”

Rounding out the night, “The Queen of Country” Reba McEntire will receive the Childhelp Woman of the World Award; Dream City Church Pastor Tommy Barnett, will receive the Childhelp Man of the World

Award; and the driving school Track Rekord will receive the Childhelp Nellie Jackson Award.

“Childhelp programs save precious lives and offer a path to a safe, productive and meaningful life for the children we serve every day,” says Kim Cullum. “Rod and I are proud to partner with Mike and Sheila Ingram, our wonderful founders Sara and Yvonne, the Childhelp team of professionals and our many community supporters to raise awareness and critical funding for these programs and services in our state and across the country.”

Childhelp reaches tens of thousands of Arizona children and families each year through the Childhelp Children’s Center of Arizona; its prevention education program, Childhelp Speak Up Be Safe; its international child abuse helpline, the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline; and other Childhelp programs and services, which serve children and families nationwide.

IF YOU GO…

What: 19th annual Childhelp Drive the Dream Gala

When: Feb. 18

Where: The Phoenician, 6000 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Tickets: $1,000

Information: www. childhelp.org

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