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!
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
Presenting Sponsor: $50,000 Filled!!!
Includes 40 reservations (4 tables) to the Proudly Pro-Life Cocktail Hour, Dinner and After PartyProminent listing in all Gala print and digital promotion and at the GalaTable signage, acknowledgement on the website, and special recognition in The Luminary20 entries to VIP Reception and Photo Opportunity featuring Fr. MikeInclusion 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 napkinsIncludes 10 reservations (1 table) to the Proudly Pro-Life Cocktail Hour, Dinner and After Party4 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!
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!
- 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:
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.