2026 CHAMP’s Best Friend Gala
The magic between a CHAMP dog and their human starts with you.
Yours is the friendship that makes all others possible. Join us for an evening featuring silent and live auctions, a seated dinner, and an opportunity to see how many lives we can change, together.
Date: Saturday, September 19
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Cocktail reception – 6:00 p.m.
Dinner & program – 7:00pm
Where: Ameristar Casino Resort Spa, 1 Ameristar Blvd., St. Charles, MO 63301
Admission: $150/per ticket or $1,500/table of 10
Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor for helping make this evening possible and supporting CHAMP’s mission.
Platinum Partner
Linda Yatkeman
Golden Leash
Holly Nylander
Silver Champion
Breakthru Beverage Missouri
Jim and Jeannine Seitz
ArchBridge Family Office
Jim Butler Auto Group
Troy and Gay Kendrick
Mark and Carol Mestemacher
In Honor of Facility and Therapy Dog Magnum
Create Life-Changing Partnerships
Training and placing an assistance dog is a life-changing investment. It takes nearly $40,000 to raise, train, and place a single assistance dog with a person whose life will be transformed by their partnership.
Every ticket purchased, auction bid, sponsorship, and donation helps expand CHAMPs programs.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Your support will change lives for a CHAMP dog and the people they serve. Sponsorships help fund all CHAMP programs, including Assistance Dogs, Therapy Dogs, Education and Prison Training.
| Level | Investment | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Best Friend Presenting Partner | $25,000 | SOLD OUT! |
| Diamond Paw Sponsor | $12,500 | 20 tickets to the gala & dinner (2 tables) $10,900 tax-deductible donation Logo recognition in night of materials, CHAMP website and social media |
| Platinum Partner | $10,000 | 10 tickets to the gala and dinner (1 table) $9,200 tax-deductible donation Logo recognition in night of event materials, CHAMP website and social media |
| Golden Leash | $7,500 | 10 tickets to the gala and dinner (1 table) $6,700 tax-deductible donation Name recognition in night of event materials, CHAMP website and social media |
| Silver Champion | $3,500 | 8 tickets to the gala and dinner $2,860 tax-deductible donation Name recognition in night of event materials, CHAMP website and social media |
| Bronze Benefactor | $1,750 | 6 tickets to the gala and dinner $1,270 tax-deductible donation Name recognition in night of event materials |
| Copper Companion | $1,000 | 4 tickets to the gala and dinner $680 tax-deductible donation Name recognition in night of event materials |
| Paw Partner | $750 | 2 tickets to the gala and dinner $590 tax-deductible donation |
CHAMP Gala Committee
- Leslie Hodges, Co-Chair
- Mark Arado
- Sharon Dash
- Leslie Foss
- Alicia Fox
- Sandy Frueh
- Gerry Halpern
- Kathy Holman
- Kathy Howard
- Sue Hults
- Stacey Switzer, Co-Chair
- Cathy Kelly
- Donna Klebolt
- Jennifer Kuehnle
- Mary Ann Maher
- Kathy Sullivan
- Eileen Thomson
- Julie Wiechens
- Bob Zangas