Proudly Pro-Life Gala

January 16

Cocktail Hour: 6:00 PM | Dinner: 7:00 PM
Hilton New Orleans Riverside
2 Poydras St., New Orleans, LA 70130

REGISTER TO ATTEND!

Join us for an unforgettable evening at the New Orleans Proudly Pro-Life Gala on Friday, January 16, 2026 at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside! Together, we will celebrate life, strengthen our pro-life cause, and unite under one declaration: babies waiting to be born and their mothers deserve love, care, and protection.

The evening begins with a Cocktail Hour at 6:00 PM, followed by Dinner at 7:00 PM and a lively After Party featuring live music and dancing with Emily Louise Entertainment Band until 11:00 PM.

Explore patron opportunities, individual reservations, underwriting support, hotel accommodations, parking, transportation, and more by selecting the options below. We look forward to celebrating with you!

To download and share the Gala Flyer, click here!

Keynote Speaker

Fr. Mike Schmitz

Father Mike Schmitz is the director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Duluth as well as the Chaplain for the Newman Center at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. He is the host of the widely popular podcast “Bible in a Year.”

Father Mike has preached to thousands locally and nationally including an empowering pro-life speech at the 2025 National March for Life in Washington, D.C.!

Supporters at and above the Lover of Life Patron level have the chance to meet and take a photo with Fr. Mike at our VIP reception!

Honoree

Celie Clark

Celie Clark is a Board Member of Louisiana Right to Life and leads “La Vie Jubilee,” Northshore’s bi-annual Celebration of Life.

Celie has been involved in the pro-life cause for decades. She has led numerous efforts to protect life, especially through her founding of Terrebonne-Lafourche Right to Life (a chapter of LA Right to Life) in 1982 and many Respect Life Coordinator positions in Catholic parishes since the 1980s.

Celie is a loving wife, mother of five children, four whom are adopted, and is an active parishioner of St. Peter Church in Covington.

Chair Couples

Mary Beth and David Mettz & Stacy and Jim Pellerin


 

Honorary Chair

Majority Leader Steve Scalise

BECOME A PATRON!

Presenting Sponsor: $50,000 Filled!!!

  • Includes 40 reservations (4 tables) to the Proudly Pro-Life Cocktail Hour, Dinner and After Party
  • Prominent listing in all Gala print and digital promotion and at the Gala
  • Table signage, acknowledgement on the website, and special recognition in The Luminary
  • 20 entries to VIP Reception and Photo Opportunity featuring Fr. Mike
  • Inclusion as a Proudly Pro-Life Gala “Host Committee” Member

Lifesaver: $25,000

  • Includes 30 reservations (3 tables) to the Proudly Pro-Life Cocktail Hour, Dinner and After Party
  • Listing in the Gala invitation and program
  • Table signage, acknowledgement on the website and special recognition in The Luminary
  • 10 entries to VIP Reception and Photo Opportunity featuring Fr. Mike
  • Inclusion as a Proudly Pro-Life Gala “Host Committee” Member

Champion of Life: $15,000

  • Includes 20 reservations (2 tables) to the Proudly Pro-Life Cocktail Hour, Dinner and After Party
  • Listing in the Gala invitation and program
  • Table signage, acknowledgement on the website and special recognition in The Luminary
  • 8 entries to VIP Reception and Photo Opportunity featuring Fr. Mike
  • Inclusion as a Proudly Pro-Life Gala “Host Committee” Member

Defender of Life: $10,000

  • Includes 20 reservations (2 tables) to the Proudly Pro-Life Cocktail Hour, Dinner and After Party
  • Listing in the Gala invitation and program
  • Table signage and acknowledgement on the website
  • 6 entries to VIP Reception and Photo Opportunity featuring Fr. Mike
  • Inclusion as a Proudly Pro-Life Gala “Host Committee” Member

Lover of Life: $5,000

  • Includes 10 reservations (1 table) to the Proudly Pro-Life Cocktail Hour, Dinner and After Party
  • Listing in the Gala invitation and program
  • Table signage and acknowledgement on the website
  • 2 entries to VIP Reception and Photo Opportunity featuring Fr. Mike
  • Inclusion as a Proudly Pro-Life Gala “Host Committee” Member

    Friend of Life: $2,500

    • Includes 10 reservations (1 table) to the Proudly Pro-Life Cocktail Hour, Dinner and After Party
    • Listing in the Gala invitation and program
    • Table signage

    Supporter of Life: $2,000

    • Includes 10 reservations (1 table) to the Proudly Pro-Life Cocktail, Dinner and After Party
    • Listing in the Gala invitation and program

    Individual Patron: $250

    • Includes 1 reservation to the Proudly Pro-Life Cocktail Hour, Dinner, and After Party
    • Listing in the Gala invitation and program

    Individual: $175 (ages 29+) or $100 (ages 18-28)

    • Includes 1 reservation to the Proudly Pro-Life Dinner and After Party

    Cocktail Hour Sponsor: $12,500 Filled!!!

    • Includes prominent name or business recognition at the Gala cocktail hour, including name/logo on napkins
    • Includes 10 reservations (1 table) to the Proudly Pro-Life Cocktail Hour, Dinner and After Party
    • 4 entries to VIP Reception and Photo Opportunity featuring Fr. Mike

    Clergy/Pastor Sponsor: $6,000

    • Includes 4 reservations to the Proudly Pro-Life Cocktail Hour, Dinner and After Party for the donor and sponsorship of clergy/pastors
    • 4 entires to VIP Reception and Photo Opportunity featuring Fr. Mike

    Bar Sponsor: $2,000

    • Includes prominent name or business name recognition at one of the bars

    We are pleased to be offering, thanks to Gray Line New Orleans, regional bus transportation to & from the Gala. Due to possible traffic downtown, we encourage you to utilize the Gala Bus options to get to & from the event!

    RESERVE A SEAT!

    METAIRIE: The Metairie buses will depart from St. Catherine of Siena PROMPTLY at 5:30 PM (arrive around 5:15pm) to get to the Hilton. After the Gala, buses will depart 15 minutes after the close of the Gala. (Around 9:30 PM)

    NORTHSHORE: The Northshore bus will depart from Mary Queen of Peace PROMPTLY at 5:00 PM (arrive around 4:45pm) to get to the Hilton. After the Gala, buses will depart 15 minutes after the close of the Gala. (Around 9:30 PM)

    Seating is limited! The buses will load on a first-come, first-served basis.

    We are pleased to offer a hotel room block at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside!

    RESERVE A ROOM

    • Rooms rates are $259/room, plus taxes and fees.
    • Reservations must be made by December 26.
    • Valet Parking at the Hotel: $58/night++.
    • You can use the button above to reserve your room online or call the Hilton at 1-800-774-1500 and tell the operator the group code LRL.

    Parking will be available in the Hilton Self-Park Garage (recommended, enter the garage through the ramp along Convention Center Blvd.) and in the Hilton “Whale Wall” open air parking lot until the lots reach capacity.

    You can also use Uber or Lyft to get back and forth to the Gala or our Regional Bus transportation options!

    Upon your reservation, you will receive a confirmation email and letter from Louisiana Right to Life reflecting your reservation! At event check-in, simply provide the name of the reservation and a volunteer will assist you!

    If you do not plan to fill your entire table or use your reservations, please contact gala@prolifelouisiana.org ASAP! We can assist you in filling them with guests who are interested in attending.

    If you or a guest have any dietary restrictions, please email those to gala@prolifelouisiana.org by Friday, January 2nd to be guaranteed a meal. Otherwise, we will do our best to fulfill your request, but can not guarantee a meal.

    Each table at the Gala has 10 seats. If you are at or above the Supporter of Life Patron Level, you have one or more reserved tables.

    If you are making individual reservations and would like to sit at the same table as someone else who made individual reservations, please indicate their name and your request in the “comments” section online when making your reservation. We will do our best to fulfill your requests.

    Guests of a Patron can check in under the name entered at registration. We do not require a guest list be provided to us, but you’re more than welcome to do so by emailing gala@prolifelouisiana.org.

    The Cocktail Hour will start at 6pm and the Gala Program starts promptly at 7pm. The Gala will end around 9:15 pm, with the After Party concluding at 11pm.

    The Cocktail Hour is open to all Patrons of the event and their guests.

    The attire for the evening is Black-Tie Optional.

    If you have any questions, please contact TJ Burgess, Director of Events, at gala@prolifelouisiana.org or 504.754.8872!

    Past Honorees

    • 1999 – His Excellency, Francis B. Schulte
    • 2000 – Lawrence D. Garvey
    • 2001 – His Excellency, Philip M. Hannan
    • 2002 – Robert E. Winn, Esquire
    • 2003 – Kathleen Nee Benfield
    • 2004 – John & Pam Richard and Pastor Bill Shanks
    • 2005 – Sharon Ryan Rodi, Esq.
    • 2007 – Raymond F. Gassar, M.S., Ph.D.
    • 2008 – W. Al Krotoski, M.D., Ph.D., MPH
    • 2009 – Judith Legett Martin and Karen Perrier McGoey
    • 2010 – Dorinda Chiappetta Bordlee
    • 2011 – Peg Kenny
    • 2012 – ACCESS & Woman’s New Life Center
    • 2013 – His Excellency, Alfred C. Hughes
    • 2014 – Cindy Collins
    • 2015 – His Excellency, Gregory M. Aymond
    • 2016 – John Hauler and LA Knights of Columbus
    • 2017 – Honorable & Mrs. David Vitter
    • 2018 – John Smestad
    • 2019 – David, Susan, & Jimmy Scotton and Roy & Gail Daigle
    • 2020 – Congressman Steve Scalise
    • 2021 – Benjamin and Kirsten Watson
    • 2022 – Senator Katrina Jackson
    • 2023 – Bobbie Jones & all Pro-Life Sidewalk Advocates
    • 2024 – Lise Naccari of CBIB & Don Sampey of All God’s Babies
    • 2025 – Troy and Tracy Duhon and Giving Hope NOLA

    2026 Patrons

    Presenting Sponsor:

    Kenneth and Kate Wood

    Life Savers:

    Mike and Dana Hammer
    Shawn and Kenta Paretti

    Champion of Life:

    Dan and Celie Clark

    Cocktail Hour Sponsor:

    The Point Man Podcast

    Defenders of Life:

    Bob and Lauren Clark
    Mark and Kerry Diebold
    Dr. Joey and Gwen Lacoste
    Rod and Diana Stieffel

    Clergy & Pastor Sponsors:

    Special Friends of Celie and Dan Clark
    A Friend of Life

    Lovers of Life:

    Brian and Virginia Almon
    Arthur Appraisal Services, GeauxTo Group, and a Doctor for Life
    Stephen and Shannon Austin
    Paul and Kathleen Barletta
    Mark & Anne Beebe
    Joe and Claire Bennett
    John and Deborah Blancher
    Ralph and Linda Capitelli
    The Claudia Abramowicz & Family Fund
    Steve and Diane Cory
    Jack and Anne Dardis
    Tim Falcon
    Karl and Laura Huber
    Anand and Maya Irimpen

    Deacon Gary and Claudia Levy
    Dr. Sherri Longo
    Carlo and Debbie Maniglia
    David and Mary Beth Mettz
    Tom and Margaret Murphy
    James and Stacy Pellerin
    Gerard and Erin Plauche
    Mark and Sharon Rodi
    Ann Stevens, in memory of Gordon Stevens
    Alexa Schexnaildre

    Friends of Life:

    Michael and Donna Sprague
    Director Family Foundation
    Chris and Beth Holloway
    Tony Pastor
    Mark and Liz Mansfield
    Dr. Robert and Judy Quinilty
    Gary Copping
    Jane Hanemann Nalty
    George L Dickinson Jr.
    Dr. James and Kathleen Godchaux
    Fine Family Foundation
    St. Francis Xavier Church
    Daniel and Megan Domingue
    Daigle and Scotton Families
    Gayle & Tom Benson Charitable Foundation
    Allison Friel
    Matthew and Melissa Wender
    Bob and Polly Thomas
    Joel Hron II
    Vance Ott
    Mary Jane Becker
    David and Anna Jouandot
    Secretary of State Nancy Landry
    Lynn Boudreaux

    Supporters of Life:

    St. Catherine of Siena Church
    Richard and Susan Baucum
    Mickey Retif Foundation
    Nicholas and Judy Danna
    Joseph Toomy
    John and Eileen Schulin
    Stephanie Hellmers
    Suzanne Pettus
    Marc and Darlene Robert
    Dawn Gillen
    Rob and Lorraine Hess
    Tanya Ibieta Ory
    Shannon Simons DDS
    Sue Schott
    Amy Reese
    Kathy Garvey
    David and Margaret Giebelhaus
    Stan and Isabel Cowley
    Dr. King and Karen McGoey
    Frank and Linda Sunseri
    Michael Rohm
    Lew and Sheri Derbes
    James and Brenda Melancon
    Tammy Naquin
    Angela Zimmer
    Robert and Ashley Foy
    John & Danielle Barbara, Bill & Denise Hoffman
    Whitman Family Foundation
    Christopher and Beth Holloway

    Individual Patrons:

    Jo-Ann Testa and Jim Hebert
    William and Lucy O’Regan
    Melanie Hebert
    Christie Jones
    Roger Madison
    Dave and Darlene Seay
    Peter and Kathie Schaumber
    State Rep. Stephanie Berault
    Kevin Seay
    David and Susan Kalil
    Gregg and Julie Paretti
    Anthony Corkern
    Maria Winn
    Ross and Sharon Fremin
    Earl and Carolyn Weiser
    Michael and Anne Babin
    William Steen
    Erin Sirmon
    Jeffrey Berner
    Erin Duvic
    Greg and Yvette LaCour
    Rod and Linda Abele
    Judith Legett
    Rosemary Zuppardo
    Louis & Brenda Frey
    Erik Lappinen

    2024 Host Committee

    The Blunt Family
    Mike and Dana Hammer
    Shawn and Kenta Paretti
    Whitman Family Foundation
    Dan and Celie Clark
    Melissa Perret
    Kenneth M. Wood
    Brian and Virginia Almon
    Stephen and Shannon Austin
    John and Deborah Blancher
    The Blessed Hope Fund
    Ralph and Linda Capitelli
    Jerry and Barbara Christopher
    Kurt and Susan Crosby
    Jack and Anne Dardis
    Mr. and Mrs. Quinn H. Eagan
    The Edward L. Rispone Family Foundation
    Giving Hope NOLA
    Dan and Nancy Henderson
    Karl and Laura Huber
    Erica and Blase Inzina
    Bob and June Menard
    David and Mary Beth Mettz
    Mrs. Jane H. Nalty
    Dr. Angela Parise and Steven Arthur
    Mark and Sharon Rodi
    Greg and Paige Roussel
    Salutare Deum Foundation
    Shannon Simons, DDS
    The Solomon Family
    Gordon and Ann Stevens
    Jim and Marisol Tucker
    Matthew and Melissa Wender
    Bob and Norris Williams

    We are excited to share that the Proudly Pro-Life Gala is almost sold out! Due to the significance impact of Fr. Mike’s presence and ministry, we are now instituting an “approval process” for the remaining space available at the Gala.

    Please submit your information below! Once approved if space allows, we will email you a link to register for the Gala.

    Proudly Pro-Life Gala Queue

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