MOXI’s Annual Gala Fundraiser
MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation, held its Annual MOXI@Night fundraising gala at the museum on Saturday, September 30. The theme this year was “A Celebration of Sound + Light,” utilizing both throughout the museum with multi-genre live music and light show entertainment experiences. Funds raised are dedicated to the museum’s STEAM education programs and Museums for All admissions.
VIP guests were welcomed with a live Foxy Sage Sound Bath by Danielle Elese RMT CSHT at the museum entrance, a photo op, silver bracelets, and a VIP Cocktail Reception on the museum’s second floor. At the lounge were two models in silver spandex mirrored pants and platform sandals serving specialty cocktails and champagne, waiters with wine and boutique bites, a full bar, and live music by Lilia Valerie, an international acoustic and electric violinist, recording artist, producer, and DJ.
At 7 pm the Brasscals Brass Band led the guests to the rooftop for dinner and fundraising. MOXI President and CEO Robin Gose welcomed the guests and thanked everyone for being there to support the museum, by saying, “You love MOXI, that is why you are here, to make a difference.” She mentioned that it was World Play Day, and through play children learn to solve problems creatively without barriers like language. She thanked this year’s presenting sponsor, Bank of America, for their investment in STEAM learning, their support for MOXI’s programs, and for helping make the museum accessible to all children and families. With that she introduced MOXI Board member and SB Bank of America (BofA) Senior Vice President and Private Client Advisor Graham Bell. He began by saying, “First we need to toast our babysitters so we could be here tonight” and then talked about his relocation to the area and BofA’s support of MOXI as a bridge to the next generation of STEAM education. Gose then invited event co-chairs Ashley Blevins and Austin Lampson with her on stage to lead a toast to MOXI with the guests, and dinner was served. There was a music interlude by Lara Wickes on theremin with Allison Allport on harp.
Founding MOXI Board Member Andrew Firestone led the one item live auction raising $19,000. He used his usual iconic storytelling with quick wit and tonight saw him doing high leg kicks on stage to bring in an additional estimated $92,500 through a direct ask. He shared that MOXI is to be viewed as a community resource not a museum, and a brief video on MOXI was shown. In addition, guests purchased raffle tickets for $100 for their choice of prize.
Following the fundraising, guests returned to the VIP Lounge on the second floor for live sitar music by Ronobir Lahiri and a choice of headphones to dance the night away supplied by The Silent DJcompany, complete with dry ice and disco lights, desserts, fruits, cheeses, and full bar.
Nods to the Event Committee Kelly Almeroth, Donna Barranco Fisher, Nico Bertrand-Scordo, Marcia Cohen, Kim Cornwall Williamson, Charlotte DiTirro, Robin Gose, Jenny Haeg-Hudson, Lily Hahn, Jill Levinson, Alixe Mattingly, Caroline MacDougall, Nini Muñoz, and Cassie Wayne; and to the event’s top sponsorships by Kay McMillan and Susan McMillan; The Wolf Family; Henry and Nanette Nevins Family; Levinson, Muller, and Sheldon Families; Marcia and John Mike Cohen; Melinda Goodman-Kemp and Robert Kemp; Lynda Fairly; Lampson Team at Homeowners Financial Group; Zegar Family Fund; Lily Hahn, and The Lucky One Foundation.
411: https://moxi.org
