The March Forth with Hope Foundation Gala | 2010

On Friday, February 12th, 2010, more than 300 guests gathered at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte to celebrate the life of Hope Elizabeth Stout. Hope was a 12-year-old who truly lived out her name. After being diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a very rare and extremely aggressive type of bone cancer, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central and Western NC offered to make one of her wises come true. Hope wished for 155 other kids to get their wishes.


Kevin Donnalley, a former Carolina Panthers player, plays in the snow at Bank of America Stadium. It would have been something that his friend Hope Stout would have wanted. He first met Hope at a Panthers football game and was moved by her spirit. Donnalley serves on the Board of Directors and has played an integral role in the March Forth With Hope Foundation. Head coach of the Carolina Panthers, John Fox, and other Carolina Panthers players also attended the gala Friday night.


A pair of autographed cleats worn by Carolina Panther running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart was one of the items auctioned off at the live auction Friday night. Williams and Stewart became the first set of teammates in NFL history to rush for more than 1,100 yards in the same season. The cleats sold for $5,000, with all proceeds benefiting the March Forth With Hope Foundation.


Keith Larson and Molly Grantham, from WBTV, emceed the March Forth With Hope Foundation Benefit gala at Bank of America Stadium. Larson interviewed Hope Stout in December of 2003 before she lost her courageous battle to cancer.


WBTV’s Molly Grantham interviews Nils and Elizabeth Martinsen, beneficiaries of a grant given by the March Forth With Hope Foundation to help ease costs while their young daughter was in the hospital. The Martinsens authentically expressed their sincere gratitude for all that the MFWH foundation has provided for their family.


Shelby and Stuart Stout speak about the March Forth With Hope Foundation, which they founded in honor and memory of their daughter, Hope Elizabeth Stout. The foundation provides financial assistance to families battling cancer or other life-threatening diseases. Their daughter Hope was diagnosed with bone cancer in 2003.


Holly Stout, one of Hope’s older sisters, holds a yellow male Labrador Retriever during the live auction at the 2010 March Forth With Hope Foundation gala. The puppy was the most popular auction item of the night. After several back and forth bidding wars, the lab sold for $3,200.


Stuart, Holly, Shelby and Austin Stout continue to share their family’s story of Hope with the world. Stuart and Shelby co-authored a book titled “Hope’s Wish,” a story about “How one girl’s dream made others come true.” They are also currently working on a film and are aiming for completion by the end of 2010.


On Friday night, the most popular spot to take photos was on an outside balcony. Two guests from the United Spirit table stepped outside of the Carolina Panthers Den room to marvel at the snow-covered Bank of America Stadium.


Jeff and MaryAnn Fowlkes are pictured with Katherine Southard, Miss North Carolina 2009, who is modeling an Estate David Yurman 14Kt Yellow Gold and Sterling Silver Citrine Pendant. The necklace was one of the items in the live auction at the gala.


Shelby Stout, mother of Hope Stout, enjoys the evening on the dance floor with some of Hope’s closest childhood friends. The redheaded girl enjoyed cheerleading, basketball and spending time with her friends and family.


Several volunteers from the Stout family’s community handed out programs and greeted guests as they entered the Carolina Panthers Den for the 2010 gala.


On the night of the March Forth With Hope Foundation gala, snow blanketed the Bank of America Stadium field. In the spirit of Hope Stout, Keith Larson and Molly Grantham from WBTV and former Carolina Panthers player Kevin Donnalley stepped outside to cherish the unexpected weather.


Hope Stout made such a selfless wish in 2003. When the Make-A-Wish Foundation offered to grant Hope a wish, she asked for the 155 other children on the list to receive their wishes. She dreamt of having a black tie gala as a fundraiser to raise money for the other kids. Every year since, a black tie gala has continued to raise money and celebrate Hope’s legacy.

If you were a guest at Friday night's event, click here in a few days for more pictures: http://www.pictage.com/793765

Check out Molly Grantham's WBTV story about the first annual March Forth With Hope Foundation gala: http://bit.ly/9gsDea