The Exceptional Foundation of Baldwin County, a newly incorporated nonprofit dedicated to serving individuals with special needs along the Gulf Coast, announced ticket sales for its inaugural major fundraiser in the spring of 2011. The centerpiece of the event was a dinner featuring former Alaska Governor and vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin, scheduled for May 3 at the Grand Hotel Marriott in Point Clear.
Ticket Options and Pricing
Tickets were offered in several tiers to accommodate a range of supporters. Sponsor tables seating 10 guests were available at both the $15,000 and $10,000 levels, while individual tickets with open seating were priced at $600 per person, with tables accommodating up to 12 guests. Attendees at the sponsor level were also offered photo opportunities with Palin during the evening.
According to the Foundation, approximately 85 percent of the cost of open-seating tickets and 90 percent of sponsor-level seating was tax deductible, making the event an attractive option for supporters looking to contribute to a meaningful cause while receiving a tax benefit.
The Foundation’s Mission
The Exceptional Foundation of Baldwin County was established as a nonprofit organization with a mission to address the social and recreational needs of individuals with mental and physical disabilities across Baldwin County, Mobile County, and the broader lower Alabama region. The organization planned to offer daily programming for participants ranging from children as young as five through adulthood, including arts and crafts, team sports, exercise classes, social events, and music activities.
Foundation President Bob Callahan expressed enthusiasm about Palin’s involvement, noting that as a mother of a child with Down syndrome, she brought a personal connection to the organization’s mission and the families it aimed to serve.
Plans for a Permanent Home
Callahan also shared that the Foundation planned to begin operations on September 1, 2011, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Daphne. The congregation, led by Rev. Thack Dyson, offered its facilities to help the organization get started. Callahan described the Daphne location as ideally situated for easy access throughout lower Alabama, providing a strong foundation for the organization’s early growth.