St. Jude’s Ranch for Children’s “There’s No Place Like Hope” Micro-Gala to Benefit Child Victims of Sex Trafficking

In-person and virtual “choose your experience” on the yellow brick road event with Clint Holmes and Jennifer Lier

After inevitable pandemic postponements, St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, a community of hope and healing, will hold “There’s No Place Like Hope,” an in-person and virtual micro-gala on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The gala will benefit the charity’s capital campaign to build the Healing Center, a one-of-a-kind residential treatment center for child victims of sex trafficking. During the event, the charity will unveil its updated plans for the Healing Center campus and attendees will witness a virtual tour.

The black-tie affair will occur in two separate rooms with staggered start and end times. Both in-person event rooms will include entertainment, a silent and live auction, a cocktail hour, three-course dinner, and a VIP after-party. The in-home virtual event will round off the three COVID-conscious options.

St. Jude’s Ranch for Children’s “There’s No Place Like HOPE” Gala will take place at The Venetian Las Vegas, inside the Venetian Ballroom. Guests are invited to choose their own path down the yellow brick road by pre-selecting one of two separate smaller gala experiences with different themes, start and end times, hosts, and entertainment.

The first experience, “Heart & Hope,” will run from 5:00 p.m. through 9:00 p.m. and will be hosted by Jennifer Lier, a highly sought-after vocalist, headliner, model, emcee, on-camera host and one of the most requested Marilyn Monroe impersonators in the country. During the Heart & Hope experience, the organization will present Honoree Amy Ayoub with the “Hope Hero Award.”

“I’ve been a supporter of St. Jude’s Ranch for Children since the mid-1970s,” said Amy Ayoub, president of The Zen Speaker. “Although I have a long history with the organization, it is the Healing Center that has newly inspired 100 percent of my support and involvement. The Healing Center is more than a residential program meant to house children until they’re old enough to fend for themselves. It’s exactly what it says: a healing center, where the children will be surrounded with love and given the mental, physical, and emotional support and resources they need to join our community as positive, active participants. If this program had been available when I was a teenager, my story would have turned out drastically different.”

The second experience, “Courage & Believe,” will run from 6:00 p.m. through 10:00 p.m. and be hosted by Clint Holmes, a two-time 2018 GRAMMY nominee and a consummate entertainer, performer, songwriter, and recording artist. During the Courage & Believe experience, the businessmen’s community group Los Vaqueros will be presented with the “Community Hero Award.”

“The mission of Los Vaqueros is to help at-risk children, which is perfectly aligned with the mission of St. Jude’s Ranch for Children,” said Alexander Koch, board president of Los Vaqueros. “Being able to get together a group of 30 business leaders to spend time, talent, and treasure to fulfill our mission is exactly why so many of us joined the group. We did not volunteer with the intention of recognition; we are just a group that enjoys camaraderie and community service, and we are excited to continue working together to help children flourish.”

Entertainment for the event will include performances by hosts Jennifer Lier and Clint Holmes, contemporary dancers, and Social Cirkish in conjunction with children from St. Jude’s Ranch for Children. Chet Buchannan will be the event’s auctioneer and the VIP after-party will include live entertainment.

“The Dream” hourlong pre-recorded virtual event begins at 6:00 p.m. and will be available on-demand should another time work better for guests that week. It will be cohosted by Clint Holmes and Jennifer Lier and include a special performance. Upgraded tickets include two event swag bags and a specialty cocktail kit for two (non-alcoholic, with the option to add a spirit, if desired).

The event is sponsored by Sands Cares, Craig and Tanya Morganson, Gillett Construction, Gaming Arts, and Best Agency. For tickets starting at $199 for in person and $25 for virtual, sponsorships starting at $2500, and more information visit stjudesranch.org.