A Night To Honor Those That Give
- Written by Chase Martin
- Read 469 times
photo credit: Chase Martin/therepubliq
The Care Communities hosted their 10th Annual Byron E. Cox iCare Gala this Saturday night at the Hyatt Regency Austin on Lady Bird Lake and I was lucky enough to have been invited by old friend Edgar Gierbolini to come as their guest. I was joined by more than 350 others as we filled the Texas Ballroom at the Hyatt to help The Care Communities raise money for the organization.
Murrah Noble | photo credit: Chase Martin/therepubliq
Hosted and emceed by YNN Austin’s Rich Segal, the evening featured several live performances by both classical guitarist Tony Morris and vocalist Murrah Noble, who many that read this column will know from her many weekly shows at bars around Austin, who performed a number from “Wicked” and Heather Small’s “Proud” among others throughout the night.
YNN Austin's Rich Segal and Mark Chavez from The Care Communities | photo credit: Chase Martin/therepubliq
The Care Communities Board President, W. Blake Robins, opened the event and welcomed guests while executive director Carol Johnson shared a story based on the proverb “sticks in a bundle are unbreakable” from the Bondei people of Tanzania. It talks about how one stick alone can easily be broken, but ten sticks standing together are not. It tell us that there is strength in numbers and when we choose to surround ourselves with others we all share our strength. This simply and elegantly describes why The Care Communities puts the Care Teams together for its clients.
Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo and YNN Austin's Rich Segal | photo credit: Chase Martin/therepubliq
Austin’s Chief of Police Art Acevedo traded in his badge for a gavel as took on the role of auctioneer for the night’s live auction. Both the Chief and Rich worked the crowd to help get them to raise their cards and bid. All know is that the Care Communities raised lots of money and some people got some amazing deals.
Roger Temme, Roy Mendoza, and Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo | photo credit: Chase Martin/therepubliq
Some of the items included two general admission 3-day passes to the 2012 Formula 1 US Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas this November; a gold and diamond pendant from Cedar Park Jewelry; lunch for you and seven friends with award-winning film producer Elizabeth Avellan; and a one-week stay for two in an apartment suite in the heart of Paris, along with a free round-trip ticket.
Kerry Tate with her Byron E. Cox Spirit of Caring Humanitarian Award | photo credit: Chase Martin/therepubliq
Jesus Garza with his Byron E. Cox Spirit of Caring Humanitarian Award | photo credit: Chase Martin/therepubliq
This year’s event also honored three members of the Central Texas community for their work helping to improve the lives of those in need. Austin entrepreneur Kerry Tate and Jesus Garza from the Seton Family of Hospitals were both presented with the Byron E. Cox Spirit of Caring Humanitarian Award and long-time volunteer Jay Billig was honored with the Guardian of Caring Award.
Jay Billig and his Guardian of Caring Award | photo credit: Chase Martin/therepubliq
Congratulations to the Gala Committee for putting on such a wonderful event and thanks to all the volunteers who came out to make it all happen.
Chase Martin
Creative Director & Founder, therepubliq.com
Director, Marketing/Promotions & Co-Founder, The OUTlander Project
Producer, OutCast Austin
Austin, Texas
Chase is the founder and Creative Director of therepubliq.com and co-founder and Director, Marketing & Promotions of The OUTlander Project. He is also a producer and engineer for OutCast Austin, an award-winning LGBT weekly radio program on KOOP 91.7 FM in Austin. In 2011, he was named the Critics Pick for 'Most Gaybiquitous' in the Austin Chronicle's Best of Austin.
Additionally, Chase runs PlanetChase, LLC, a consulting firm providing a variety of business development services including web development, marketing, branding, technology to small businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs; as well as meeting planning services for the financial services industry.
On his spare time, Chase has volunteered with local organizations including AIDS Services of Austin, the Octopus Club, the Austin Gay Basketball League and Volleyball Austin. In 2007, he was appointed by then-Austin Mayor Will Wynn to serve on the Austin Area Comprehensive HIV Planning Council where he served as the chairperson of the Community Access & Nominations committee.