Gala 2025: Hope in Action
A Night of Community, Connection, and Impact
This year’s Hope in Action Gala brought together donors, partners, and friends for a meaningful evening celebrating the power of turning hope into something visible and actionable. The event highlighted how hope becomes a catalyst for real, lasting change when it is activated through community, generosity, and collective action.
Designed to foster connection and curiosity, the Gala invited guests to get to know one another while highlighting and exploring some of TGE’s projects. Guests arrived to a warm, vibrant atmosphere filled with conversation, meaningful encounters, and our special cocktail for the night, the Hope Spritz. During the first hour, attendees explored a series of activation booths, each highlighting a different type of project TGE funds: farming and animal rearing, tailoring and vocational training, and paper and card making. Through displays, hands-on materials, and personal stories, visitors gained a deeper understanding of how these programs empower families and communities to thrive long after the Gala lights fade. This first chapter of the night set a beautiful tone, engaged, curious, and deeply connected to the mission.
The night then moved into a heartfelt and energetic dinner program and live auction. As guests entered the main ballroom, they transitioned into a warm dining experience enriched by inspiring remarks about TGE’s expanding work in Eastern Africa and the transformative influence of past projects. We heard thoughtful words from TGE Founder Rod Mickels and staff members Ming Richie, Executive Director, and Reanna Placide, Director of Operations. We were also fortunate to welcome the newest addition to the TGE team, Brian Munaita, Head Trainer, who traveled from Kenya to join us. He enlightened guests with important context about the lives of our beneficiaries, their challenges, resilience, and creativity to implement sustainable solutions with TGE’s support.
The energy of the evening rose even higher during the live auction experience led by our talented auctioneer. From travel adventures to exclusive local packages, each item drew enthusiastic participation from the audience.
One of the most powerful moments of the evening came when our guest of honor, Lilian Biira, from Inspire Girls Focus Foundation, took the stage. With eloquence and emotion, she shared her story and described how TGE’s support has allowed her to empower and uplift hundreds of young people. Her calm presence and wise words resonated with guests and motivated the room to continue supporting our mission.
Throughout the evening, the ballroom was filled with laughter, heartfelt stories, and a shared sense of purpose. The generosity was remarkable and the impact unmistakable. Thanks to the collective support of our community, we raised over $270,000 in support of our self-sustaining projects across Eastern Africa. This incredible achievement not only exceeded expectations but also reflects the deep commitment of our donors to transforming communities with lasting, long-term solutions.
We are endlessly grateful to everyone who attended, volunteered, supported, or shared the evening with us. We extend our appreciation to our sponsors and to InVision, who for six years has partnered with The Giving Exchange to bring the Gala vision to life.
Your belief in our mission fuels every step forward.
Save the Date
Mark your calendar! Our next Gala will take place on October 17, 2026.
We look forward to sharing another inspiring evening of connection and impact with you!
Location:
Pleasant Hill Community Center
320 Civic Dr, Pleasant Hill, CA, 94523