When you drive up to an event venue for a formal gala, having an ambulance parked by the entrance would normally be a concerning site. Not on March 2, at Chateau Luxe Event Venue in Phoenix. On that evening, a Magen David Adom (MDA) ambulance was parked on the red carpet to greet the guests arriving for the Second Annual Hope Gala as a tangible vision of what their support has, and can do, to help MDA and the people of Israel.
After registration, guests who had purchased VIP access tickets were led to a private room for a cocktail reception where they were able to hear from some of the dignitaries. After the general registration, all the guests were gathered in the center hall. The lights were dimmed and as each guest held a candle, Elana Michael, director of Major Gifts of the Southwest Region of American Friends of Magen David Adom (AFMDA) started the night by saying that, “Hope is not just a word, it’s a commitment. Our light is still shining and together, we can make it shine brighter. Yachad — together we save lives. Am Yisrael Chai.”
