
Join United 4 Children in pursuit of our mission on September 9, 2021!
This year, you can join the Gala virtually from the comfort of your home, or in-person at Third Degree Glass Factory in St. Louis. Our in-person celebration will include music, a live glass art demonstration, hors d’oeuvres, and drinks. Our official program for all attendees will include a silent auction, award ceremony, and connection to United 4 Children’s mission.
Ticket Costs:
$25.00 – Virtual Ticket for U4C Partners and Young Professionals
$35.00 – Virtual General Admission Ticket
$45.00 – In-Person Ticket for U4C Partners and Young Professionals
$100.00 – In-Person General Admission Ticket
Our Lighting the Way silent auction is now live!
You can bid online now through 9 p.m. Sept. 9. Proceeds will advance our vision of ensuring that every child has the foundation to thrive.
What To Expect During The Lighting The Way Gala
If you are a virtual attendee:
Starting at about 6:40 p.m. you can check out our Facebook page for a live video of a glass artist creating an original piece and local artist David Gorden painting a scene of our in-person celebration. And be sure to check out the silent auction items while you wait for the program to begin!
Please log on to Zoom and get settled a few minutes before 7 p.m. Our official program will begin at 7 p.m. and last about an hour. If you have any technical issues, please call at (314) 531-1412.
If you are an in-person attendee:
When you arrive at Third Degree Glass Factory, you will check in just inside the front door then head in to get a drink, enjoy hors d’oeuvres, listen to live music, and observe two artists creating pieces live. Pay close attention to what the artists create because you could make those items your own during our live auction — which will be exclusive to in-person attendees. The artists will begin creating at about 6:30 p.m. In addition, you will be able to view our silent auction items and begin bidding via your phone. The Third Degree Glass Factory gallery will be open to peruse, as well.
Be sure to bring your appetite because you will find a spread of hors d’oeuvres that are sure to rival your hunger and meet your dietary restrictions! We will have an open wine, beer, and zero proof bar from 6-9 p.m. Mixed drinks will be available for a fee. Water and coffee will be available from 9-10 p.m.
There will be a mixture of cocktail-height standing tables and large round seated tables throughout the space. Masks will be required unless eating or drinking. We are capping our capacity at about 25% of the venue’s total capacity to allow space for social distancing. Third Degree Glass Factory’s patio will be open if you would like some fresh air at any point.
Attire is semi-formal, or cocktail attire. Our formal program will begin at 7 p.m. and last about an hour. The program will be shown on a projector screen to unite our in-person and virtual guests. You can enjoy live music before and after our official program. Our in-person celebration will end at 10 p.m.

Recognizing An Outstanding Childcare Provider, Nonprofit, And Financial Contributor
We will present three awards during our annual Lighting the Way Gala on September 9, 2021: Childcare Provider Champion, Community Champion, and Contributor Champion. Nominations for these awards has closed. Our final awardees will be announced soon. Check back for more details!

Community Partners:
Gary Parker
Brown School at Washington University
David Dwight
Forward through Ferguson
Kate Schoemehl
Metro Medspa
Lisa Greening
Turn the Page STL
United 4 Children Board Members:
Beth Csengody
Wells Fargo
Mark Minden
Labyrinth Mobility
Nikki Goodwin
Cigna
United 4 Children Staff:
Deanna Finch
U4C Executive Director
Stephanie LaFleur
U4C Development and Event Coordinator
Lakesha Robinson
U4C R2Q Director
Megan Mansouri
U4C Marketing and Communications Coordinator

Interested in being a sponsor? Sponsorship levels are listed below. You can view our entire sponsorship packet here.
If you have questions, email Stephanie LaFleur at lafleurs@united4children.org.
- Spotlight Sponsor | $50,000.00
- Gold Light Sponsor | $25,000.00
- Silver Light Sponsor | $10,000
- Glowing Light Sponsor | $5,000
- Night Light Sponsor | $2,500
- Candlelight Sponsor | $1,000
Benefits:
- 30 tickets
- Two-minute pre-recorded presentation at commencement of event
- Branded items and recognition in attendee gift bag
- Naming rights to Watch Party Event on the night of event
- Naming rights to signature cocktail
- Logo on every presentation slide and all print and digital collateral
- Presentation of the four community awards given during the event
- Prominent recognition in all of United 4 Children’s social media about the event
- Prominent recognition in all of United 4 Children’s media outreach about the event
- Prominent recognition with live link on United 4 Children’s website
Benefits:
- 20 tickets
- Official “Auction” sponsor (silent auction launches online two weeks in advance of event)
- One-minute pre-recorded presentation
- Branded items and recognition in attendee gift bag
- Prominent logo recognition in program
- Logo on all print and digital collateral
- Prominent recognition in all of United 4 Children’s social media about the event
- Prominent recognition in all of United 4 Children’s media outreach about the event
- Prominent recognition with live link on United 4 Children’s website
Benefits:
- 15 tickets
- Thirty-second pre-recorded presentation
- Branded items and recognition in attendee gift bag
- Prominent logo recognition in program
- Prominent recognition in all of United 4 Children’s social media about the event
- Prominent recognition in all of United 4 Children’s media outreach about the event
- Prominent recognition on United 4 Children’s website
Benefits:
- 10 tickets
- Logo on select print and digital collateral
- Recognition in attendee gift bag
- Recognition in presentation
- Recognition on United 4 Children’s website
Benefits:
- 10 tickets
- Recognition in presentation
- Recognition on United 4 Children’s website
Benefits:
- 4 tickets
- Recognition on United 4 Children’s website
Thank You To Our 2021 Sponsors
Gold Light Sponsor
Glowing Light
Night Light
Candlelight
Live Auction Sponsor