The Samaritan Center’s Every Mind Matters Gala was an unforgettable evening of celebration, storytelling, and community impact, bringing together partners, donors, advocates, and community members in support of accessible mental health services throughout our region. Held at the Imperial Event Venue, this year’s gala was both a joyful celebration and a powerful reminder of the life-changing work made possible through community support. The event raised more than $50,000 to help Samaritan Center continue providing counseling, consultation, and mental health programming to individuals and families across the community.
The evening began with a lively cocktail hour as guests arrived, registered, and explored an impressive collection of raffle prizes generously donated by local businesses and community partners. Attendees gathered on the terrace to enjoy hors d’oeuvres and signature beverages, including the evening’s featured drink, The Samaritan Splash, with $3 from every purchase donated directly back to Samaritan Center.
As guests transitioned into the dining room and found their seats, the energy in the room was unmistakable. Serving as emcees for the evening were Samaritan Therapist Debbi Miller and her husband David Miller, whose humor, warmth, and engaging skits set a welcoming and celebratory tone for the night. Together, they guided attendees through the evening’s events while emphasizing the mission and impact at the heart of Samaritan Center’s work.
Auctioneer Andy Keller then took the stage to introduce the live appeal portion of the evening. In a fun and interactive demonstration, Keller auctioned off the coveted “first table to the buffet” privilege, energizing the room and preparing guests for the meaningful appeal still to come.
Following dinner, Samaritan’s Board Chair Todd Reinhart and Interim Executive Director Simon Dietz shared reflections on what makes Samaritan Center such a unique and vital organization within the community. Drawing from his own experiences as a therapist, Simon spoke movingly about witnessing firsthand the transformational impact that compassionate, accessible mental health care can have on individuals and families facing difficult moments in their lives.
The evening’s live presentation featured a series of deeply impactful videos highlighting several of Samaritan Center’s specialized programs and the professionals behind them.
The first video presentation focused on Samaritan Center’s Child & Adolescent Programs, featuring Resident Therapist Anne Beecher and Clinical Intern Austen Kewin. Together, they shared insight into the organization’s TeenHope Screening and School-Based Counseling programs, discussing the growing mental health challenges facing children and teens today. The presentation highlighted the critical importance of providing accessible counseling services within schools and showcased how Samaritan Center is meeting young people where they are. Austen also reflected on his experience as a Clinical Intern at Samaritan Center and the meaningful mentorship and clinical experience he has gained through the organization.
The second video highlighted Samaritan’s Older Adult Mental Health Program through the experiences of Samaritan Therapist Elaine Potts and Clinical Intern Patrick Houghton-Brown. Their presentation explored the unique emotional and mental health challenges often faced by older adults and emphasized the importance of combating isolation, grief, anxiety, and depression within senior living communities. Through their work in communities such as Homestead Village and Welsh Mountain Home, attendees saw how Samaritan Center continues to provide compassionate and accessible support to older adults who might otherwise go without care.
The live presentation concluded with an inspiring and interactive presentation from Samaritan Dance Movement Therapists Renée Kurz and Kripi Jain. Renée guided the audience through simple mindfulness movements inspired by Samaritan’s Dance for Mental Health program, allowing guests to personally experience the grounding and therapeutic benefits of movement-based mental health practices. Kripi then shared her personal journey toward becoming a dance movement therapist and the meaningful impact this work can have on emotional wellness and healing.
Together, the stories, presentations, and personal testimonies throughout the evening created a deeply moving experience that highlighted the breadth and heart of Samaritan Center’s mission.
As the formal program concluded, the celebration continued with an energetic dance party led by Fever Pitch! In addition to providing the soundtrack for the dance party, Fever Pitch also supplied music throughout the entire gala experience, helping create an atmosphere of joy, connection, and celebration from beginning to end.
The success of the Every Mind Matters Gala reflects the incredible compassion and generosity of this community. Every raffle ticket purchased, every live appeal contribution made, every event ticket sold, and every Samaritan Splash enjoyed, directly supports Samaritan Center’s mission of ensuring that mental health services remain accessible to all who need them.
Samaritan Center extends its deepest gratitude to everyone who attended, donated, volunteered, sponsored, and supported this year’s gala. Because of this community’s generosity, Samaritan Center can continue breaking down barriers to mental health care and providing hope, healing, and support to individuals and families throughout the region.
Every mind truly matters — and together, this community continues to prove it.
