2nd Annual Step Up for Children Gala

The Jefferson Children's Advocacy Center's

2nd Annual Step Up for Children Gala

From left to right: Wayne Zimmerman (Board President), Melanie Hebert (Board member and Emcee), Terrance Osborne (local artist), Erika Dupépé (Executive Director), Dennis Woltering (Emcee)

The Jefferson Children's Advocacy Center's 2nd Annual Step Up for Children Gala was a huge success!  We had a great turn-out and raised over $40,000 for the JCAC.  The funds raised will support our mission of investigating, treating, and preventing child victimization in Jefferson Parish.  

The activities of the evening were led by our energetic emcees, Melanie Hebert and Dennis Woltering, both news anchors from WWL-TV.  The Yat Pack kept the night rolling with live entertainment featuring covers of Frank Sinatra, Michael Buble, Billy Joel and much more. 

Local news anchors were asked to decorate step-stools to be sold at our live and silent auctions. The decorated step-stools went hand-in-hand with the Gala's "Step Up for Children" theme.  Many anchors asked local artists to decorate the stools on their behalf.  Simon Hardeveld painted a stool for Susan Roesgen (WGNO) in-line with his signature style, and John Carambat crafted a stool into a steam-punk themed pig on behalf of Angela Hill (WWL).  Chet Pourciau constructed a unique piece on behalf of Shelley Brown decked out with crawfish and corncobs that embodied the Greater New Orleans spirit (WVUE). Terrance Osborne painted a step-stool for Sally-Ann Roberts (WWL) to reflect Sally-Ann's favorite Bible verse, Psalms 1:3:

"That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither-- whatever they do prospers."

Sally-Ann Roberts with Terrance Osborne. Terrance Osborne painted the stool on behalf of Sally-Ann and it was sold at the 2nd Annual Step Up for Children Gala's live auction for $8,000.

Over 25 items were put to bid at our silent auction, which included signed sports memorabilia from the Saints, Hornets, and LSU Tigers; gift baskets stocked with certificates to local sites and restaurants; as well as beautiful art and jewelry. 

Thanks to everyone who made the 2nd Annual Step Up for Children Gala a success!  We hope you all join us next year!