2019 Rochester Hope Lodge Gala

SAVE THE DATE! Mark your calendars for October 3, 2020. The Roaring 20's Hope Lodge Gala will be taking place at the Mayo Civic Center. Check back in the new year for more information. 

Join us for an inspiring evening of hope in support of the Rochester Hope Lodge. We provide free lodging to cancer patients and their caregivers as they go through life saving treatment. We would not be able to continue our efforts without the support of the community, so please join us and help us continue the fight against cancer!

Please enjoy this video to learn more about Hope Lodge and our mission. 

Timeline of Events:

5:30 p.m. Registration and Cocktail Hour

- Enjoy a drink, play some games, view the silent auction, have your photo taken, and enjoy live entertainment

7:30 p.m. Dinner is Served

- Dessert Dash Game

- Live Auction

8:30 p.m. Silent Auction Closes, Program Begins

- Presentation of Awards; Spirit of Hope, 2018 Real Men Wear Pink Top Fundraiser

- Heads or Tails Game

- Guest Speaker, Mark Merila

- Fund-A-Need

- Raffle Drawing

- Music by Brandon Sampson of Six Mile Grove

Don't forget to purchase your RAFFLE TICKETS! $10 per ticket with a chance to win 10 different cash prizes. To purchase tickets ahead of the event, contact Elizabeth at [email protected]. You need not be present to win. 

This year's guest speaker is Mark Merila. Mr. Merila played baseball professionally, but his career was cut short when he was diagnosed with brain cancer. He stayed at the Rochester Hope Lodge as he went through treatment at Mayo Clinic. He is now a San Diego Padres Scout. Learn more about his story on October 12.

Meet our Auctioneer! Rod Johnson created his benefit auction company, "Johnson Auctioneering," in 2005. Since that time the company has expanded and currently conducts benefit auctions throughout the Midwest and beyond. Rod is a "Benefit Auction Specialist" (BAS), a designation given by the National Auctioneers Association to less than 1% of auctioneers throughout North America. He is a past Wisconsin and Minnesota State Champion Auctioneer and was also a finalist in the International Auctioneers Championship. Rod recently retired as the "Voice of the Minnesota Timberwolves" after serving as their announcer for 21 years, in order to devote more time to the benefit auction business.