More than 350 guests filled the Khorassan Ballroom at the Chase Park Plaza Royal Sonesta Hotel St. Louis on June 4 for the Wings of Hope Soaring to New Heights Gala. The largest annual fundraising event for Wings of Hope was the first in-person gala since February 2020.
“What a great event to see so many of our family and friends return after a more than two-year hiatus,” said Wings of Hope President and CEO Bret Heinrich. “This event also represents an exciting new ascent for Wings of Hope, to soar even higher than before. People who will benefit from this spectacular party are in far-flung places around the world. They may never know the names and faces of the people who gathered to celebrate and support Wings of Hope on a beautiful June night in St. Louis, but their lives will be infinitely better for their generosity.”
Rene Knott, co-anchor of KSDK’s Today in St. Louis morning show, was emcee and auctioneer for the evening — and he kept the bids coming during the exciting live auction. In a Facebook post following the event, Rene said: “It was a blessing tonight to emcee the annual gala for Wings of Hope. It was a tremendous evening of giving and caring. Thank you to everyone who helped in making a global difference by being the wind beneath their wings.”
In addition to live and silent auctions, guests enjoyed a cocktail hour, dinner and presentations about the work Wings of Hope is doing around the world using aviation to change and save lives.
Mark Brown and Heni Takacs and Craig and Rose Kaintz were the event co-chairs.
Thank you to our Aviator Circle Presenting Sponsor Fabick Cat and our First Officer sponsors: City Lifestyle Magazine, the Wings of Hope Board of Directors and Oris, the makers of a one-of-a-kind, limited-edition Wings of Hope watch which raised $13,000 during the live auction.
We are also grateful to the following sponsors: AVMATS, Boeing, Brinkmann Constructors, Emerson, Husch Blackwell, Moneta Charitable Group Foundation, Mungenast St. Louis Acura, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Bob and Debbie Sanders, The Kaintz Family Foundation, Steve and Shirley Lieber, United Healthcare, Larry and Dot LeGrand/Wm. H. Steinlage Insurance Agency, Inc., Genesis Aerosystems, Robert and Kathleen DeRoode, Timothy and Mary Ann Beranek and Scott and Jill Davidson.
