18th Annual Doorway Gala at Ford Field
On Thursday, May 16, 2024, friends and supporters of Mercy Education Project (MEP) came together at Ford Field’s Hall of Legends for the 18th Annual Doorway Gala. This year’s Doorway event showcased MEP’s “grit” and celebrated the commitment of the women and girls MEP serves. Guests enjoyed phenomenal food, drinks, games, a program, and a paddle raise capstone to end the evening. Nearly $47,000 was raised at the event, led by sportscaster Matt Dery, and – thanks to several fantastic donors who responded to our post-event request to help us reach $50,000 – the Paddle Raise total is now over $49,000!
18 event sponsors made the event possible, including top sponsors Rose Senior Living, DTE Foundation, and Trinity Health. The Doorway Gala is known for its inventive raffle packages featuring local donations. This year, more than 90 businesses and individuals donated items for the raffle and silent auction packages. Special thanks to Kelly Walsh, Ilitch Holdings, Fr. Don Worthy, the Detroit Lions Foundation, and the Detroit Pistons for providing silent auction items.
The program began with a short video encapsulating how MEP has “grit.” We brought back our “Unlock the Red Door” game of chance, where 50 keys are sold with one opening the Red Door that symbolizes the door our students walk through and out of into their futures! Congratulations to the winner, Bracha Drissman.
This year, the Spirit of Mercy Award was presented to the Sisters of Mercy in recognition of extraordinary contributions to MEP over the past 32 years.
Keynote speaker Paula Tutman from WDIV Local 4 entertained and enlightened the crowd with her talk on “giving” versus “giving back.” Another video was shown featuring interviews with MEP students, past and present, volunteers, staff and instructors. View both videos that debuted at the 2024 Doorway Gala here.
Thanks to generous sponsors and attendees, plus donations from friends of MEP who were unable to attend, the 2024 Doorway Gala raised more than $222,000!
Our thanks to our Doorway Committee members: Ethel Dixon, Christine George, Laura Keener, Carol Krumbach, Deb Murray, Rosa Tinetti, Angela Walters, Mary Wolking, and Sister Charlotte Young.
Join us in Spring 2025 for the 19th Annual Doorway Gala! Keep an eye on our website and social channels for ways to get involved and support.
2024 Doorway Gala Sponsors:
Presenting Red Door Sponsors: Rose Senior Living, DTE Foundation, Trinity Health
Emerald Sponsors: Ally, Corewell Health, MAGNA
Amethyst Sponsors: Comerica Bank, Kitch, Sisters of Mercy
Sapphire Sponsors: American Axle and Manufacturing, Burns & McDonnell, Belfor, IBEW Local 58, Ruby & Associates, Wolverine Packing Co.
Topaz Sponsors: Amity Detroit Counseling, Christian Financial Credit Union, Comcast
Enjoy the photos from our event.