ChalleNGe Champions Gala
Celebrating lives changed by the Youth ChalleNGe Program
The Seventh Annual ChalleNGe Champions Gala was a tremendous success!
We are extremely appreciative of the support of our sponsors, celebrity guests, elected officials, individual and corporate donors, and volunteers. Their involvement makes it possible for the National Guard Youth Foundation to raise awareness of the success of the Youth ChalleNGe Program, provide scholarships and facilitate internships and job opportunities to graduates of the program.
Click here to see photos of the event.
Sponsors of the Seventh Annual ChalleNGe Champions Gala Included:
Presenting Sponsor: BAE Systems
Dinner Sponsor: TriWest Healthcare Alliance
Reception Sponsor: DC Capital Partners
Click here for a complete list of sponsors.
Each year, the National Guard Youth Foundation presents ChalleNGe Champion Awards to individuals and companies making great strides to help the ChalleNGe Program and Foundation. Awardees are chosen by the National Guard Youth Foundation Board of Directors, and are continuous supporters of the Program. This year, the Foundation presented its inaugural 'Lifetime ChalleNGe Champion' award to Lt. Gen. John B. Conaway, Chairman of the National Guard Youth Foundation Board of Directors, who served as Chief of the National Guard Bureau when the Youth ChalleNGe Program started as a pilot program. The Seventh Annual ChalleNGe Champion Awardees were:
Major General William Enyart - Adjutant General of Illinois
BAE Systems
Click here to see past ChalleNGe Champion Awardees.
The Gala provides the Foundation the opportunity to honor National Guard Youth ChalleNGe cadets from across the country who've accepted the "challenge" to turn their lives around. The Foundation also pays tribute to the many National Guard personnel and supporters of the ChalleNGe Program and Foundation who have selflessly advocated on behalf of the ChalleNGe Program.
The Gala events draw nearly 1,000 guests, including governors, members of Congress, Department of Defense officials, senior National Guard and military leaders, program directors and cadets, national celebrities, corporate and community officials and members of the press. During the evening, the Foundation holds a reception and silent aution, followed by a dinner program with live entertainment and a live auction.
Funds raised from gala sponsorships and the live and silent auction create scholarships for graduates of the Youth ChalleNGe Program, so they can continue their education in college, vocational, or trade schools.
Click here for photos of the 2011 ChalleNGe Champions Gala.
"While there are many good programs that help prevent kids from dropping out of school, there are few, if any, that help them once they've dropped out. The National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program offers a future of promise to those who have the will and desire to pursue it. The Program is a 'hand up,' not a 'hand out,' that provides youths with the tools, support and knowledge they need to start believing in themselves again. We've lost so many to this national epidemic and the Youth ChalleNGe Program is putting a stop to that trend."
- U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu
