Union Mission will host its 9^th Annual Raising Hope on Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at the Savannah Convention Center. Presented by Oliver Maner LLP and Georgia Ports Authority, the event will be emceed by Dean Crownover, Benefit Auction Specialist along with Special Guest Emcees Tina Tyus-Shaw, Lead Anchor for WSAV News 3 and Rabbi Robert Haas, Leader of Congregation Mickve Israel. The evening will begin with a cocktail reception beginning at 5:30pm featuring Jeremy Davis & the Equinox Jazz Trio and domestic & international travel silent auction items by AmFund, followed by dinner & program at 6:45pm. Candice Glover, local singer, songwriter, and American Idol winner will also be included.

The program will feature Keynote Speaker Jason Howe, Executive Director for K9s on the Front Line in Missouri and Author of Unleashed: The Powerfully Simple Path to Adapt and Overcome Trauma, Addiction and the Silent Battle with Mental Illness. Howe will share his personal story of defying the odds with mental illness (PTSD), trauma, anxiety, depression, and drug addiction that led to homelessness and the loss of his children. He has dedicated his life to helping others providing a firsthand story of adapting to overcome battles. Howe will be joined by his Service Hero Dog, Sobee, who was also the 2021 Hero Dog Award Winner.

Union Mission also plans to honor Mr. Patrick Monahan for his tireless contributions to Union Mission and the Savannah community. “Pat Monahan has made a lasting impact on our community with his selfless and humble service to those in need across our community,” said Union Mission President and CEO, Michael Traynor. “Pat’s giving spirit can be found through his many years volunteering with Union Mission, including donating his time as executive director as the organization conducted a leadership search.”

Monahan’s passion has extended beyond Union Mission to other homeless organizations across the Savannah area. “Pat has worked with others to rehabilitate and build housing for the homeless for many years,” Traynor said. “Housing the homeless is the ultimate goal of all homeless providers in Chatham County and Pat’s efforts have made a tremendous difference.”

Tickets, tables, and sponsorship opportunities are available at www.unionmission.org. For more information, contact Mark Toth, Union Mission Major Gifts Director at (248) 770-3933 or mtoth@unionmission.org.