Annual Night of Trees Gala

GALA PROGRAM                        JOIN ZOOM LINK

SPECIAL GUEST PERFORMANCES

Natasha Beddingfield

Natasha Bedingfield is a Grammy nominated singer songwriter who rose to fame when her debut album, Unwritten, was released. The British star claimed fame in the United States with her US-only hit single, "Pocketful of Sunshine". Her song Unwritten had a resurgence as TikTok's dance of summer 2021 and her video has 100 million views.  Natasha is a proud supporter of the Special Olympics movement both in the U.S. and Great Britain.

Mike Phillips

World renowned saxophonist Mike Phillips is known as one of the most electrifying instrumentalists today. Mike is the first musician signed by Michael Jordan to the Nike Jordan Brand, home of the Air Jordan, and is the only musician in the world to have recorded and toured with the legendary "Big Three" of American soul and pop music: Michael Jackson, Prince, and Stevie Wonder, not only as a member of the band, but as a featured soloist.

Mike toured for nearly two years as part of the band for 'Michael Jackson The IMMORTAL Tour' by Cirque du Soleil. And music superstar Prince knew what audiences around the world know? when Mike Phillips puts his saxophone to his lips, magic is about to happen.

EMCEES FOR THE EVENING

Yentomi Parker 

Yentomi has been a Special Olympics DC athlete for more than 40 years.  Known as the "Queen of Bocce", Yentomi won the gold medal for bocce at the USA Games in Nebraska in 2010, but that's not all.  Her other sports include track & field, bowling and tennis.  She is a true competitor and always plays to win!   

Kelsey Nicole Nelson

Kelsey is an award-winning freelance sports reporter & event host based in Washington, D.C. Kelsey has reported and covered some of the top sporting events on a local, state and national level including the Super Bowl and NBA Finals. She currently works as a sideline reporter for the Big East Digital Network. She also works as the Host of the "Sports Smarts" podcast. She is a proud DMV native and supporter of  the Special Olympics movement.

MESSAGE FROM GLOBAL AMBASSADOR

Elena Delle Donne

Special Olympics Global Ambassador Elena Delle Donne is the star player for the Washington Mystics, who led the team to their first WNBA Championship in 2019. She is a two-time MVP, a six-time All Star, and a 2016 Olympic Gold Medalist. As a Global Ambassador, she is helping to promote the 2022 USA Games.

Sponsor Team DC for USA Games

Sponsor the Team