Night of Hope Promises 'Emotional Good Time'

Referred to by one of its organizers as “an emotional good time,” the Night of Hope is the premiere fund-raising event for the Macomb-based charity .

A nonprofit organization, Angels of Hope provides financial, advocacy and services to families whose children have been diagnosed with cancer.

The Night of Hope will be held from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. March 24 at the Palazzo Grande Banquet Center in Shelby Township.

“I call it an emotional good time,” said Steve York, a director on the Angels board. “In the middle (of the event), we do a video that hits home to a lot of people. I think a lot of the people who come to our event are blessed with healthy children. That’s the uniqueness of it. It’s a great event. There is a part in the program where there is not a dry eye in the house.”

York said more than 700 guests are expected at this year’s event, many of whom will be repeat attendees.

While the event is primarily a fund-raiser, Robin Sanderson, Angels of Hope chairman, said she views it as more of a celebration of “being able to help those less fortunate than us.”

The evening will include a live auction, silent auction and general raffle–all of which feature high-end prizes.  

York said said guests can expect to see a variety of autographed sports and movie paraphernalia, an array of electronics, sports suites and tickets, overnight and travel packages and a home entertainment package of Mac products.

“Its one of our few fund-raisers,” York said. “It essentially allows us to wrap our arms around family whatever their needs are. We go out throughout Michigan to wrap our arms around family. A large percentage of grants go to families with a sick child. You can’t budget for that. You can’t plan for it. That’s a catastrophic event in a family’s life.”

Angels of Hope is unique in that it tailors all grants and aid given to a family to that family’s individual needs.

“Some may need tutoring, or may not be able to afford the imminent burial of child,” York said. “First and foremost cancer has really touched us all. It doesn’t spare any socio-economic race or color. It’s harder for families to maintain normalcy, and we help them to maintain a sense of normalcy in their treatment.”

Tickets for the event are $100 per person or $1,000 to reserve a table.

The ticket price includes a strolling dinner, which consists of several food stations, and an open bar.

“It’s a wonderful event, period,” Sanderson said. “It’s a night out. Everybody has been cooped up all winter. It is a celebration of people coming together to make a difference. We have families that talk and guests can see where their dollar is going. They’re able to see firsthand how it affected a family.”

Tickets are still available and can be purchased online here.