Quarter 3 News
As we dive into the third quarter of the year, we are thrilled to share the exciting opportunities you have to get involved with the Ashton Hope Keegan Foundation! Your unwavering support and dedication are crucial in driving our mission forward, and together we can continue to create meaningful opportunities and positive change within our community.
7th Annual Hope Gala: A Golden Evening in Paris
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in our recent Hope Gala! This year’s event exceeded all expectations, breaking records and setting a new standard for future galas. Attendance was up by an impressive 36%, and we saw a remarkable 230% increase in net revenue—our best year yet. Your generous contributions ensure that we can continue to say we’ve never had to turn away a qualified woman due to a lack of resources.
Our design team from Athens Tech’s Interior Design class transformed the venue into a magical Parisian escape, leaving guests in awe. Nearly two months later, people are still raving about the event! It was truly a beautiful celebration of hope, resilience, and community spirit, and we’re already excited for next year. We’ve secured the Cotton Press for August 2nd, 2025—so mark your calendars and invite your friends!
UGA Greek Life Community Service Fair
This event was an important step in our strategic goal to integrate more with UGA Greek Life, and we made valuable connections that we hope will lead to increased volunteer participation at our upcoming events, such as the Stiletto Stampede and Aramark volunteer positions at UGA sports events.
Get Involved: Volunteer Opportunities
We are actively seeking volunteers to help at concession stands during UGA Volleyball games and to assist with beverage sales at UGA Home Football games. All proceeds from these concession sales directly support the Ashton Hope Keegan Foundation.
Additionally, mark your calendars for our 3rd Annual Stiletto Stampede 5K on January 18, 2025! We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to make this incredible event a success. As a thank you for your help, volunteers will receive an exclusive t-shirt!
To learn more about volunteer opportunities, click here!
2025 Stiletto Stampede
We are excited to announce that the Ashton Hope Keegan Foundation will be hosting its 3rd Annual Stiletto Stampede 5K! This unique event challenges participants to wear a stiletto on their person (but not on their feet!) while they run or walk. Get creative and have fun with it! Stiletto beads will be available for participants to wear, adding to the festive atmosphere.
Proceeds from the race will fund technical and certification scholarships, helping us further our mission to break the cycle of generational poverty for women in Athens and surrounding counties. We are thrilled to feature the 80’s Inspired Mighty McFly Trio for entertainment during the event, and there will be plenty of refreshments and great food available for everyone after the race.
Don’t wait, become a sponsor or register today!
Giving Tuesday
As the holiday season approaches, we’re excited to participate in Giving Tuesday, a global day of giving celebrated on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. It’s a wonderful opportunity to support charitable organizations and make a positive impact in your community.
This year, the Ashton Hope Keegan Foundation is raising money to support our mission of empowering women through scholarships and community programs. Every contribution counts, and your support can help us break the cycle of generational poverty for women in our area.
Join Us in Spreading the Joy of Giving: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/ashtonhopekeeganfoundation/event/givingtuesday2024/
How You Can Help:
- Donate: Consider making a financial contribution to the Ashton Hope Keegan Foundation on Giving Tuesday. Your donation will directly support our programs and initiatives.
- Spread the Word: Share our Giving Tuesday campaign with your friends, family, and social networks. Every share can help raise awareness and bring in more support.
- Engage with Us: Follow our social media channels for updates and celebrate the spirit of giving. Together, we can make a difference!
Looking to the Future
We are incredibly grateful for your support and involvement in our mission. As we gear up for the Stiletto Stampede and other upcoming events, we encourage you to participate and help us continue making a difference in the lives of women in our community. Together, we can uplift and transform lives!
Quarter 2 News
As we move into the second quarter of the year, we are excited to update you on the ongoing efforts and activities at the Ashton Hope Keegan Foundation. Your unwavering support and dedication continue to drive our mission forward, enabling us to create meaningful opportunities and positive change within our community. This quarter, our primary focus is on the eagerly anticipated annual Hope Gala.
Preparations are in full swing for our 7th annual Hope Gala, set to take place on August 3, 2024, at the historic Athens Cotton Press. This year’s theme, “A Golden Evening in Paris: Where Our Scholars Shine,” promises an enchanting night filled with elegance, inspiration, and a shared commitment to empowering women.
A Night to Remember
The evening kicks off with an exclusive VIP Cocktail Hour from 5-6 PM. This is a unique opportunity to mingle with our honored scholars, esteemed board members, and valued educational partners. It’s a time for meaningful connections and insightful conversations, setting the stage for the main event.
At 6 PM, the doors open for General Admission, welcoming all guests to an unforgettable night of celebration and enlightenment. The event runs until 9 PM, offering ample time to enjoy all that the gala has to offer.
What to Expect
The Hope Gala is much more than a fundraiser; it’s a celebration of hope, resilience, and community spirit. Attendees will indulge in a delectable array of heavy hors d’oeuvres and a sumptuous buffet dinner. All night long, the Ashley Rivera Duo will serenade you with their incredible music
For those who enjoy a bit of friendly competition, the silent auction and raffle present a chance to bid on and win some incredible prizes. And don’t forget to capture the moment at our delightful selfie/photo booth, perfect for creating lasting memories of this special night.
Why We Gather
The core mission of the Ashton Hope Keegan Foundation is to break the cycle of generational poverty for women in our community. We do this through technical training scholarships, grants for materials support, and strategic partnerships that pave the way for sustainable careers. The Hope Gala is an opportunity to bring together individuals who are passionate about making a positive impact.
This evening of elegance and compassion allows us to raise the necessary funds to continue our vital work. By attending, you are directly contributing to the success and empowerment of women in our community, helping them achieve their dreams and create brighter futures.
Behind the Scenes: Preparing for the Hope Gala
As we prepare for this year’s gala, the energy and creativity are palpable. The design students from Athens Tech are channeling their talents into the decor and design for our new, larger venue at the Cotton Press. Their hard work and dedication ensure that the ambiance perfectly captures the magic of a golden evening in Paris.
Meanwhile, our board members are diligently seeking donations for sponsorships, raffle items, and auction contributions. This gala is a significantly larger undertaking than previous events, and the collective effort is crucial to its success. Every contribution, whether it be time, resources, or creative input, is deeply appreciated and instrumental in making the evening memorable.
A Weekend of Community Engagement
The Ashton Hope Keegan Foundation had a fantastic weekend recently, beginning with the Athens Area Community Foundation (AACF) 15th Anniversary Brunch Bash on Saturday. Earlier in the year, AACF announced their Nonprofit of the Year Award and identified ten nonprofits as “Ones to Watch,” including Ashton’s Foundation! At the Brunch Bash, Putt Athens set up a miniature golf course, and each of the identified nonprofits was assigned to a hole. Kim and Ed Keegan represented the Foundation, sharing Ashton’s story with golfers as they played through.
Thanks to the generosity of AACF and a matching donation by Rex & Pat Johnson, we raised enough money to provide educational support to two struggling local women!
On Sunday, Ashton’s Foundation participated in Oconee Summerfest. This year’s theme was books, and each participant chose a book as the basis for their booth. The choice was clear when we realized we already have a pretty, petite, bold redhead who goes around town engaging in all sorts of antics – so we chose the book, Madeline. Kim recreated the Paris theme of the book, resulting in a fun and playful booth.
During the event, Kim was perfectly costumed as Madeline, and Linda Maples fit right in as Miss Clavel. The theme and decor also dovetailed nicely with the theme of our upcoming Hope Gala on August 3rd – “A Golden Evening in Paris: Where Our Scholars Shine.” Kim and Linda handed out little Eiffel Tower keychains and information about the Hope Gala.
All in all, it was a great weekend spent celebrating AACF’s anniversary and highlighting Oconee County’s businesses. We look forward to seeing you all at more upcoming events!
Join Us
Whether you’re attending for the first time or are a returning supporter, the 7th annual Hope Gala promises to be a night of inspiration, celebration, and meaningful impact. Together, we can make a difference and continue to shine a light on the path to empowerment for women everywhere.
Don’t miss out on this incredible event. Join us for “A Golden Evening in Paris: Where Our Scholars Shine” and help us continue our mission of uplifting and transforming lives.
For more information and to purchase tickets, please click here. We look forward to seeing you there!
Quarter 1 News
We are delighted to share with you a recap of the recent events and fundraising activities undertaken by the Ashton Hope Keegan Foundation. Through your unwavering support and dedication, we have achieved remarkable milestones in our mission to empower and uplift our community.
Gift Delivery to Educational Partners
In December, we had the pleasure of delivering over 100 gifts to the children of our educational partners’ scholars. This initiative not only brought joy to the children but also reinforced our commitment to supporting education and fostering brighter futures.
Sharing our Vision in the Athens Community
Kim, our esteemed leader, shared insights with business leaders in Athens regarding trends in the nonprofit sector. Her expertise and dedication continue to inspire others and drive positive change within our community.
2ND Annual Stiletto Stampede
Despite challenging weather conditions, the Stiletto Stampede saw participation from 98 registrants, with approximately 60 individuals braving the cold to run. We are thrilled to announce that this event raised an impressive $6,000, marking a significant 54% increase from the inaugural Stiletto Stampede.
A special thank you to the continued support from our sponsors: Coca-Cola Bottling Co. United, Inc. Athens Sales Center, Mighty McFly, RAI Contractors, Linda Maples, Raytheon Technologies, Ed & Kim Keegan, Todd Whitaker, Watkinsville Golf Cards & Disc Golf, Global Com, Bank South, Moore’s Tree Service, Watkinsville Service Center, Piedmont Athens Regional, and The Hawg Pen. Our in-kind donations were provided by Fleet Feet, Peachy Sweets, Athens Running Company, Jittery Joes Coffee, Pure Barre, Cofers Home & Garden Showplace, Smoothie King, Rockbox Athens, South Main Brewing, and Classic City Eats.
We greatly appreciate all of our sponsors who make this event such a success each year. As you shop or look for services, please consider these amazing donors.
Celebration at CINE
The Ashton Hope Keegan Foundation was honored to be nominated for Nonprofit of the Year at the celebration sponsored by AACF. Additionally, Kim’s remarkable contributions were recognized as she was nominated for the prestigious ATHENA Award for her dedication to advancing women’s causes.
Gala Plans are Underway
Our dedicated team engaged in productive planning and brainstorming sessions for our upcoming gala, laying the groundwork for an unforgettable event aimed at furthering our philanthropic endeavors.
A special addition to this year’s event will involve interior design students. We are excited about the new collaboration that will form the decoration committee for our gala. This partnership promises to infuse creativity and innovation into our event-planning process.
This year, we invite you to join us for “A Golden Evening in Paris: Where Our Scholars Shine” at the Athens Cotton Press on August 3, 2024.
For more information about becoming a sponsor or purchasing tickets, please click here.
Interview with Journalism UGA Student
Ginny and Kim had the privilege of being interviewed by a Journalism UGA student, providing an opportunity to share the foundation’s vision, values, and impact with a broader audience.
Continued Growth for Scholar Success
Furthermore, we are thrilled to announce that the foundation has experienced remarkable growth, awarding 132% more scholarships year over year. This achievement underscores our commitment to providing opportunities for education and personal development within our community.
Reflections
As we reflect on these accomplishments, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your continued support and dedication to the Ashton Hope Keegan Foundation. Together, we are making a tangible difference in the lives of those we serve, and we look forward to continuing our journey of impact and empowerment in the days ahead.