On Thursday September 17th, we celebrated Hopecam's 16th Year at our Hopecam Celebration Dinner. The event was held at Bazin's On Church in Vienna, VA. $70,000 was raised that evening, to connect more children fighting cancer!
We started the evening off with amazing hors d'oeuvres and socializing. Our founder Len Forkas then welcomed everyone to the event. Virginia Delegate Kenneth R. Plum took the stage and gave a moving speech about why Hopecam is so important to children fighting cancer and their families.
Len Forkas with Matteo Lambert and Virginia Delegate Kenneth R. Plum
Virginia Delegate Kenneth R. Plum and Hopecam Child Poppy
Mr. Forkas presented 4 special awards for ‘Outstanding Service’ to Hopecam Board Members Jeannie Buhr and Carol Kaffenberger and to Hopecam volunteer Amanda Wolfe and Pediatric Oncology Social Worker Cathy Bottrell.
Hopecam Alumni Child Elyssia then gave a beautiful speech about Hopecam and Logitech and how we helped her during treatment while attending school.
Hopecam Alumni Child Elyssia
Hopecam Alumni Child Elyssia with her Dad and Mom
Hopecam Child Poppy attended the event and her mom and Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Fries both gave inspiring speeches about Poppy when she was in treatment she used Hopecam and was able to connect with her friends at school when she could not go.
The event was sold out and Bazin's On Church provided an amazing 3 course dinner!
After dinner Len Forkas introduced Matteo Lambert. Matteo is Hopecam's Race For A Reason Champion. Matteo who is only 9 years old is running 32 5Ks across the United States to raise funds for Hopecam so that more children fighting Cancer can connect. At each race he wears a cape of a different Hopecam child, and after the race is completed he sends his medal and the cape to the Hopecam child. Sometimes he gets to meet them in person! Matteo has raised over $54,000. Please visit his website to see where Matteo is racing next and to make a donation. Len surprised Matteo with a special award that night for everything he has done for Hopecam and being a voice for children fighting cancer!
Matteo receiving his special award from Len Forkas
Members of the Apple Federal Credit Union also attended including CEO Andy Grimm, Senior Vice President of Community Relations Robert Sowell Sr., Cynthia McAree and Alicia Debow and they presented Matteo and Hopecam a check for $15,000!
Robert Sowell Sr., with Alicia Debow, Hopecam Child Poppy, Matteo and Apple Federal Credit Union CEO Andy Grimm
Len Forkas with Matteo and the $15,000 check to Hopecam from Apple Federal Credit Union
Thank you to all of our sponsors for the night:
Lindsey Joelle Miller Memorial Fund
Jacky and Jeff Copeland
Carol and Will Kaffenberger
Wendy and Jim Maiwurm
Ron Police
Eva Perdahl –Wallace
Leigh Ann and Christian Schultz
A special thank you to our Hopecam Team Lauren Priestas, Sara Dia, Sam Rosko and Brett Fox for working tirelessly to ensure a successful and fun evening.
Left to Right: Sam Rosko, Brett Fox, Sara Dia and Lauren Priestas
Thank you to Emiritus Board Member Scott Stewart for engaging the crowd to raise the paddles and help connect more children to life!
Thank you to all of our amazing Hopecam volunteers for everything you do for Hopecam!
Thank you to Gregg Landry from Blue Rock Productions, for capturing all the photos at the celebration dinner. See more scrolling photos of the 2019 Hopecam Celebration Dinner above.
The Forkas Family: Len Forkas, Elizabeth Forkas, Viena Forkas and Matt Forkas
THANK YOU FROM ALL OF US AT HOPECAM!