I just wanted to bring my recaps and photos from the magical and awesome Gala

I will do a small recap. After Linda did a small opening speech she played a wonderful video of the children who have been helped by TBAF, maybe we could ask Aron, if they could put it up on the website, it is a beautiful and special video. One of the little boys, Jonathan who received an award at the Gala was featured, he is deaf and has been able to attend camp thanks to TBAF providing an interpreter for him. One of the most touching moments for me was Diane Bubel talking about her son Mike, on the video. He is autisc and is non verbal. She says she imagines conversations with Mike and believes he would tell her, "I just want to be a kid, Mom, I just want to play." Diane tears up at this statment and i think most of us did the same in the audience. The last few minutes of the video is of TBAF children playing with Clay singing Because You Loved me in the backgroud. It was the perfect song and it gave me a whole new appreciation for the it, it was a no longer a song about a man and a women, but it about anyone who is lifted up b/c of love...it was beautiful and another tear jerker moment.

Clay then spoke, and without any notes his passion and love so very clearly shows through. He is awe inspiring and simply amazing.

Next Diane spoke, what an impressive women, again she moved the audience to tears, with her beautiful and simple words, that these children, that all children want do is to have fun and play. That having a children with disabilities doesn't/shouldn't mean that every minute of every day is focused on the disability and working to overcome it, sometimes you just need to be a kid.

Kristy then spoke about the programs and goals of TBAF.

The first award recipent was Jonathan Bunzey. Jonathan is deaf and has some other cognitive issues, but that does stop him from working on the We Build People Campaign at the A.E. Finely YMCA, Raleigh. He raises maoney for kids with special needs to be have the same, fun camp experienceat the Y that he has had. He raised more than 6400. this year. His acceptance speech which was interpreted by his mother was so sweet and moving.

here is a picture, unfortunately it did come out as good as I had hoped.

The next recipient was coach Jim Johnson. Coach Johnson, as many of you know was the high school basketball coach that allowed his student team manager, young man by the name of Jason McElwain, who has autism, into the final home basketball game. J-Mac scored 20 points in just over four minutes, including 6 three point baskets. We watched a brief video clip and listened to a moving and impassioned speech by this very special and compassionate man. I had the opportunity to thank him at the end of the Gala.

The TBAF Beta Alph Volunteers were given an award and were represented by Pam Gaither, Dawn Graham, our own RaleighAikenfan, and Teresa Moss. Pam gave a beautiful speech sharing the award with all the Beta Alpha voluteers.

The last and final volunteer was the corporate sponsor State Farm, and I missed most of this speeech, due to leaving the room for a few minutes. The gentleman was also part of the Million Dollar round-table, which is a group of insurance agents and they made an additional 8,000 donation last night and the gentleman accepting the award made an additional 1,000 donation.

each and everyone of the recipents were so incredibly deserving and extremely gracious and appreciative of the award.

Ok, here is my official recap. First, I must say, the Clayfans clean up beautifully. I will start at the point and time when we were allowed in the venue. Linda and I had to find our table, as we were not sitting at the same table as our friend Chris. There were several rooms for dinner. To our diappointment were not seated in the main room, but in the Sir Walter Raleigh room. We sat down with our table and they were an entire family with the exception of the two of us. What could have been awkward was wonderful. This family was gracious and accepting. We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner and their hospitality. The father is the artistic director of La Boehme (sp?). So, if you live in Raleigh check out the production it will open on April 13 and have it's last production on April 15.

Next, we mingle with our fellow Clayfans and have an after dinner ****tails. Yes, I had a Claytini, it was ok, not my favorite, but it was served in a sugar-rimmed shotglass so that was cute. I spent some of this time trying to find a spot for my cell phone, i swear the building is wrapped in lead.

We then were seated for the concert. Linda and I are seated in the last row of the right hand side, a fortitious space. Two seats are added behind me. We have a bit of a sight line problem. The lovely Linda Loveland came to the podium. Then in a flash Clay is lead to his seat among great cheers and he picks up his auction fan and fans us to cool us down.

At Clay's introduction to his speech, he rearranges the first rows b/c of limited site lines. He says he doesn't need to see himself sing. This is the extremely fortitious thing b/c when he gets done with his speech, he comes and stands not more 12 feet from me by leaning on this counter/bar that runs the length of the wall. He is standing next to Jamie, Jesse and Jerome. I have described up thread how incredibly moving the speeches were, so i won't bore you.

During the speeches, I am really feeling for the little girl that is sitting behind me, I don't think she can see the videos as I am much taller. I turn around at one point and tell her mother that her daughter needs my chair. Her daughter suffers from a musuclar disorder and can't stand unassisted. So when I get up to help her, Clay chooses to come down the aisle to the back of the room. There is a near collision. I say "I am sorry" and he says "that's ok". He turns around and pays attention to the video that is being played and somehow without going into fan girly spasms, I exchange seats. So, that was a very cool little encounter.

I won't bore you with details, but I did get yelled at by Jerome for using my camera, and it was not for using flash, they had asked that we not use our camera. I selfishly decided that rule wasn't for me. Jerome was not happy, but we talked about it and I apologized. I also apologized when he gave me permission to resume taking pictures during the auction. I realized that it really is disrespectful to Clay by not honoring his request. I am sorry to say that it took Jerome being rather terse with me for me to realize his frustration, and my level of disrespect. They asked that we not photograph the concert. I did not, so i have no pictures of that. Okay, i bored you.

So when it came time for the auction. Clay makes a mad dash for the podium. He has decided he is tired of sitting and decides that we need to stretch, and he also decides he will participate in the auction. When i say participate, you all know by now that means take it over and pimp the items. It was Clay at his best. He was funny, over the top, flirty and gave it his all. He was laughing at us and himself. It was a gift i will always remember. The no kiss rule was out the door. He gave every winning bidder a kiss on the cheek and rec'd a kiss on the cheek.

The concert was next. Be still my heart. With just a piano to accompany him. He is magnificant. His voice is beautiful and effortless. He sits on a stool and sings ICMYLM with a bit of flirting, it was exquisite. The Prayer duet was amazing and Quiana and Clay are spectactlar. Quiana's solo is just amazing and Clay so loves to hear her sing. As an aside, Clay told us he drove down to the Charleston, S.C. to pick up Chamberlin and Quiana. That Chamberlin was his house. The generosity Clay shows in simple acts such as this, make him the man he is.

Unchained melody was gorgeous and there are no words.

During the auction and the concert i had moved to counter for a better view. The mother of the young daughter moved to my seat. I was able to sit there w/some BAF volunteers, and when Clay left he went right by me. I could have flicked him in the head, he was that close. He paused a few feet in front of me and gave his final wave.

I want to add that the love in that room was over flowing it was powerful, it was contagious. It was an experience I will never forget. It was about stranger and friends connecting and coming together for an evening.

We then went back to the hotel and hung in the cafe bar area with a bunch of fans...waves to Husker, Cap, Cotton and all the rest.

I went to bed at 4:00 had about an hour sleep...would i do it again...absolutely....

I forgot to add that I had the opportunity to meet Diane, Aron and Kristy they are warm, friendly, wonderful compassionate people. Their dedication and love for TBAF shines through, i don't think that Clay could find better people to head his foundation.

Also, Clay's mother was very active in meeting all the guests. She is a very classy women.

here are some more photos

Pics of the family we ate dinner with...Linda playing you can wear my heels, I will wear your loafer with a member of the family.

Linda Loveland (not Linda Lovelace...thanks for the correction Husker)

The best of my photos