The Mistress of Ceremonies was Beth Vaughn, Morning News Anchor of WRTV Channel 6, who also serves on Assistance League of Indianapolis Advisory Council.  Her enthusiasm and commitment for the organization were evident in the energy she brought to announcing the evening’s events.  

The evening began with a silent auction of over 245 items which covered a diverse range of options such as: a child sized electric mustang convertible; sports memorabilia including a football signed by Indianapolis Colts Player T.Y. Hilton and a basketball signed by the Indiana Pacers’ players and coaches; luxury restaurant gift cards; and weekend getaways. Attendees had the opportunity to participate in two raffles; a dazzling diamond necklace donated by Distinctive Diamonds was offered as well as a wreath of gift cards totaling $500. After dinner the bidding was lively during the live auction for exotic travel packages in and out of the United States as well Indianapolis based entertainment. The Broad Ripple Sertoma Club provided casino games and guests enjoyed dancing to music provided by DJ Joe Debiak & Sound Spectrum Entertainment.

Assistance League was honored to have many other distinguished attendees whose organizations and companies have greatly supported Assistance League’s philanthropic programs.  From Dow AgroSciences were:Antonio Galindez, current President and CEO; Tim Hassinger, President and CEO Elect, and Ben Crockett. Also attending was Dr. David Hillman, Program Officer, from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.  Dayton Molendorp, Chairman of the Board of American United Mutual Insurance Holding Company as well as Scott Davison, President and CEO of American United Mutual Insurance Holding Company were present. Guests from Hunt Construction Group Included: Bill Morthland, Executive Vice President and Division Manager; Bruce Wylam, Vice President; Brian Woods, Vice President; Bruce Carter, Contract Manager; and Pam McNealy, Director of Business Development. Ryan McCracken from Shoe Carnival, whose partnership with Assistance League makes Shoes: A Division of Operation School Bell possible, attended. In addition, Betsy Giordano, Beyond the Bell funder, enjoyed the evening as did Katie Ellis, Program Assistant from The Clowes Fund and Patrick J. Burley, President and CEO, Meridian Investment Advisors. The Metropolitan School District of Warren Township was represented by:Dr. Dena Cushenberry, Superintendent; Tim Hanson, Assistant to the Superintendent, PreK-6;Lee Ann Kwiatkowski, Chief of Academics; Lou Ann Schwenn, Assistant to the Superintendent,7-Adult; and Brian Simkins, Director of Human Resources.  

Additionally, we completed the second full year of Beyond the Bell, a division of Operation School Bell, with 50 IPS elementary schools directly receiving clothing kits of new pants, polo shirts, socks, underwear and belts for immediate-need situations.  This program was developed to help the many children who transfer into the districts after their schools visit Operation School Bell and they have no other means to obtain proper school clothing and others who face emergency situations of fire or domestic instability. In total, these kits contained over 7,900 clothing items, reaching an estimated additional 1,000 students.