2024 Fraser Gala, presented by Toy'n around

Our theme is “A Story from Yellow to Blue: A Journey Inside You,” and attendees will be led on a journey of self-discovery through the colorful world of their emotions.

People often depict their emotions as colors. Our sadness is blue. Anger is red. Joy feels yellow. Disgust is green. Orange can represent uncertainty or anxiety. While we may not relish feeling sad or angry, the truth is, there are no bad emotions.

Like a rainbow, our emotions reflect the range of our experiences.

We also learn important lessons from emotions. A child with food allergies may cry uncontrollably if their stomach hurts because of something they ate. A teen with ADHD may cover their ears and shout if they’re overwhelmed by background noise. An adult with anxiety may try to escape a room if they have to talk to strangers.

Without these intense emotional expressions, we might not recognize underlying issues, such as food allergies, sensory sensitivities, or mental health difficulties. Emotions allow us to connect with others and receive help.

Our emotions tell a story, painting a vivid picture of our inner experiences and how we respond to the world around us. Recognizing and interpreting these emotional stories is crucial. That’s where Fraser comes in. Fraser Behavioral and Rehabilitation Therapy teaches children to recognize how emotions feel in their bodies and then provides the tools to manage and respond to overwhelming sensations or situations. 

Currently, the Fraser Rehabilitation Therapy program is running a $600,000 deficit, due to a staggering lack of funding for individuals and families on medical assistance (MA). There hasn’t been an increase in Minnesota outpatient care funding since 2014, which has pitted the rising cost of services against flat reimbursement rates and an ever-increasing need. Our deficit has necessitated that we scale back services, so we’re focusing on supporting a crucial developmental group: children 0-5. To ensure these young children can continue to receive services, we must raise $600,000 to fund the program.

You can help us close this deficit and support critical early intervention services for children 0-5. You can ensure children and families can create a better story for themselves, every day. By sponsoring, donating, or attending the gala, you ensure children 0-5 can access:

• Fraser Rehabilitation Therapy includes occupational, physical, and speech-language services. These therapies help young children develop communicate skills to express their needs; strengthen their leg and core muscles, so they can walk and sit upright; and build their hand strength, so they can hold a spoon or button their shirt. Research shows early intervention provides the best lifelong outcomes for children. For children ages 0-5, rehabilitation therapy is also a safety net because they’re too young to be served by public schools.
• Further, Fraser Rehabilitation Therapy is often the first step for families to seek and accept help. Despite increased awareness and community support, the stigma around mental health issues persists for many families. This, coupled with the misconception that young children don’t have mental illness, also makes rehabilitation therapy services so crucial. When families start in rehabilitation therapy, they become comfortable with Fraser and can then access our extensive and inclusive behavioral health offerings.

Event Details

5:00 p.m. - Private reception for Toy’n around, invitation only

5:00 p.m. - Cocktails, happy hour, and silent auction bidding

6:35 p.m. - Dinner

7:05 p.m. - Silent auction closes 

7:20 p.m. - Program begins

8:26 p.m. - Final music performance to close the show

8:30 p.m. - Dessert & Coffee

8:30 p.m. - Auction item pickup

8:30 p.m. - Program ends and the after-party begins

10:00 p.m. - Event ends

Sponsorship opportunities are available. In addition to providing supporting individuals and families in our community, Fraser event sponsors receive unique marketing benefits, such as signage, social media advertising, and brand positioning at our events. Contact Sr. Special Events and Volunteer Program Manager Rose Rosario at Rose.Rosario@fraser.org for information on how you can expand your brand.

Event bidding will take place with Auction Harmony. Event registration and donations will take place on the Fraser event site and will be processed through Raiser’s Edge.

Staff tickets are available for purchase at a discounted rate of $85, which covers the cost of the meal. Staff will receive a discount-rate promo code to use when registering.

How people can get involved:

• Be an event sponsor
• Donate items or experiences
• Buy tickets and attend
• Volunteer

View photos from the 2023 gala on our Flickr album here.

View photos from the 2023 Mirror Me Perfect photobooth at the Gala here.