Next Generation Gala

Cocktail hour starts at 5:30 PM under the outdoor pavilion. Keynote presentation and dinner begins at 7 PM in the ballroom. There will be complementary parking in the parking garage next to our hotel entrance to the gala. There will be student volunteers stationed at the entrance to guide everyone where they need to go for registration, the pre-function area, and the event!

Host Table or Purchase Ticket

Patrick Madrid

Patrick is a Catholic author, radio host, apologist, the host of several EWTN television and radio series, and the publisher of Envoy Magazine. He is the author of 12 books and booklets on Catholic themes, including the popular “Surprised By Truth” series of conversion testimony books. He also served as Vice President for 8 years at Catholic Answers.

Patrick earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business from the University of Phoenix, as well as a Bachelor of Philosophy and a Master of Arts in dogmatic theology from the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio. He has also done graduate studies in theology at the University of Dayton and in the University of Dallas’ IRPS program.

Patrick serves as an adjunct professor of apologetics at Holy Apostles College and Seminary in Cromwell, Connecticut and Saint Patrick’s Seminary and University in Menlo Park, California. He has also taught apologetics and sacraments as an adjunct professor at Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio and is a research fellow of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Studies.

Tony Melendez

It was an unforgettable moment when, on September 15, 1987, Tony played his guitar for Pope John Paul II in Los Angeles. Born without arms, he performed a touching song entitled, “Never Be The Same.” When the Pope approached him from the stage to kiss him in appreciation, it seemed to reflect the sentiments of the entire country.

“Never Be the Same” was an appropriate song, for those few moments changed Tony Melendez' life and brought his unrestrained abilities as a guitarist into national attention. It seems to be a fitting place for a man who has spent his life putting personal confidence above his handicap.

Since then, Tony has traveled across the United States and 40 foreign countries, making countless television appearances, including "The Today Show”, “Good Morning America”, “Geraldo”, “CBS This Morning”, “The Arsenio Hall Show”, “The 700 Club”, Robert Schuller’s “Hour of Power”, and prime-time network specials for Variety Clubs and Very Special Arts. He also performed at The World Series, where he sang the national anthem for the fifth game of the 1989 series. Tony had the opportunity to give four additional performances for Pope John Paul II, twice in the Vatican, another in the Pope's homeland of Poland, and in Denver, Colorado for World Youth Day 1993. Along with television and major personal appearances, newspapers and magazine articles have appeared on him throughout the world. Now an author, his bestselling autobiography, "A Gift of Hope”, was published in 1989 by Harper & Row.

Christie Beu

Christie Beu is the lead singer of the Double-Platinum international recording artists, “The Beu Sisters.” The ladies are locals of New Smyrna Beach, Florida.

These singer/songwriting sisters can be heard on numerous movie soundtracks including, “How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days”, “Ella Enchanted”, “Because of Winn Dixie”, Disney’s “The Lizzie McGuire Movie”, and Disney’s “Home on the Range.” They have also been featured on several Disney compilation albums such as “Disneymania 2”, Radio Disney's “Jingle Jams”, and “Disney Girlz Rock.” Christie and her sisters have played to sold out arenas across the country as the opening act for American Idol’s Kelly Clarkson & Clay Aiken on their 32-city tour. They were the featured artists at the Hollywood Bowl, performing with The Los Angeles Philharmonic for Disney’s 50th Anniversary.

Aside from producing their own sophomore album, Christie has also been involved in developing other talented artists. She currently performs an array of gems from the 1920’s to the present day that can be custom-tailored to suit any specific needs. Christie Beu is truly a musical experience.

Make a HUGE impact:

If you are pro-life and want an easy way to support JMJ's mission, we invite you to host a table at our upcoming gala. Instead of purchasing an individual ticket, you can help us ten-fold for only $450. That donation will cover the cost of the meals for your entire table. It is a fantastic way for you to not only help us financially, it gives you an opportunity to invite nine other friends and family members who may or may not know about our important mission and work. In many cases, these are people we could not reach on our own. You will be able to sit with ten people you enjoy, and they benefit from your generosity. Win-win.

Why this is important:

Our Annual Gala is our largest fundraiser of the year and incredibly important to our ongoing success as an organization. We believe your personal invitation to friends, family, and co-workers is the key to a successful gala. Your passion for our mission will reach people we simply cannot reach on our own. It is an opportunity for you to be a HERO for life!

Expectations for hosting:

Being a host for a table does require you to invest in JMJ financially and volunteer some time. Here is what to expect:

Purchase a host table for $450.
Fill your table with ten people. (That is where your time commitment comes in.)
Provide JMJ with the names for your table at least two weeks prior to the gala.
Serve as JMJ's ambassador for your table at the gala.
Assist in collecting our financial ask.

Purchase Host Table or Individual Tickets TODAY!

Host Table or Purchase Ticket

Sponsorship Opportunities

Our sponsors are critical to our gala's success. They help underwrite the many costs associated with the evening and are witnesses to life through their support. Each sponsorship level includes a table for ten and recognition on our website and in our evening program. Since this year is a special celebration, each sponsor table will also include a special gift!