Champaign Events

Champaign, Campus Satellite, Magnolia, & Merci’s Refuge Banquet 2026

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2026

SAVE THE DATE and join us for an evening of celebration as we share the victory of hearts touched and lives transformed through Living Alternatives Pregnancy Resource Center.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Location

I-Hotel Conference Center
1900 S First St.
Champaign, IL 61820

Keynote Speaker — Karen Kingsbury

Karen Kingsbury is a #1 New York Times bestselling novelist with more than twenty-five million copies of her award-winning books in print. Her last dozen titles have topped bestseller lists, and many of her novels are under development as major motion pictures. Also, the first three seasons of Karen’s Baxter Family books are now an original series called The Baxters on Prime Video. Karen is a visiting professor at Liberty University, where she teaches a master class on storytelling.

Underwriting & Event Sponsor Opportunities

Each year, we invite a team of Underwriters and Event Sponsors to fully cover the expenses of our Annual Celebration and help us take the first steps toward reaching our event goal. This generous support ensures that 100% of the donations and pledges made during the evening go directly toward funding the ministry’s work over the next year.

By becoming an Underwriter or Event Sponsor, your gift is multiplied—allowing us to invite prospective donors at no cost and creating a ripple effect that inspires others to give generously.

As a thank-you, Underwriters and Event Sponsors (formerly known as Table Sponsors) will receive:

An exclusive invitation to a VIP event held before the Celebration,
A premium table for 10 guests,
Recognition as a sponsor during the evening.

To be included in the printed program, responses are due by September 9th.

Will you partner with us this year? Your investment will help ensure the continued success and impact of the mission of Living Alternatives.

Sponsorship levels are below for your consideration. If interested, please contact us at [email protected].

Sponsorship Levels

$10,000 – Protector	$1,500 – Rescuer
$7,500 – Restorer	$1,000 – Steward
$5,000 – Guardian	$500 – Champion
$2,500 – Defender

Become a Sponsor

Thank you to our Underwriters & Table Sponsors!

$10,000 Protector

Anonymous
Anonymous, In Memory of Mimi Edwards
The Miller Family

$7,500 Restorer

Anonymous
Edward Jones, Mike Kessel, CFP

$5,000 Guardian

Anonymous (2)
Graham & Liz Berry
Scott & Susan Olthoff

$2,500 Defender

Anonymous
Anonymous, To the Glory of our Risen Lord
Janeane Keller
Brandon & Brandy Moore, Re/Max Realty Associates
Dr. William & Connie Pierce
Karl & Crystal Radnitzer
Renee Robinson, In Honor of Stephen & Grace

$1,500 Rescuer

Anonymous (4)
Anonymous, In Memory of Jo Ann Frank
Craig & Cynthia Gordon
Great News Media WGNN, Mark & Holly Burns
Gulliford Septic & Sewer/Illinois Portable Toilet, Russ & Lisa Gulliford
Lou & Kathy Loutrel

$1,500 Rescuer Cont’d

Lincoln Shores Properties LLC, Brian & Paula Dunkman
Terri Lipscomb Family, In Memory of Marshall Lipscomb
Living Word Family Church
Richard & Joy Pace
Reichard Foundation, D. Scott & Judy Reichard
Stevie Jay Broadcasting: ESPN Radio 93.5; Country US 105.9; Q96.1FM; Christian FM 95.3
Allan & Donna Vogelsang

$1,000 Steward

Advantage Trucking, LLC (add
Anonymous (2)
Abigail Baker
Jerry & Jean Bargren, In Memory of Mary Jean McCallister
Kurt & Deborah Bobsin
Eagle Mountain Assembly of God
Kraft Development Group
Faith Church of Urbana
John & Barbara Hecker, In Memory of Morris & Martha Hecker
Dick & Margaret Leonard
Ann Neff, In Memory of John Neff
Eric & Davonne Porter
Steve & Nancy Rooney
John & Linda Ross
Scheuneman Construction Co., Kurt E. and Joseph H. Scheuneman
Sidney Christian Church
Steve Tarrant State Farm
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Tucker, In Memory of William & Doris Tucker
The Widow’s Jar Foundation
Paul & Kathryn Wilson

$500 Champion

Anonymous (6)
Anonymous, In Honor of My Daughter, Taylor
Jim & Lori Bednarz
Bedtech Midwest
First Baptist Church, Rantoul
Fruited Plain Farms, James & Gayle Ehmen, Luke & Maria Ehmen
GH Peters Construction
Marilyn Grubb
Norma Hesterberg, In Memory of Bob Hesterberg
Hope and a Future
Sandy & Mike Mack
Tom & Linda Nation
Paxton Church of Christ
Claire Porter on Behalf of Club America Mahomet Activism Hub
Brent & Theresa Roberson, In Memory of Norma Jean Roberson
Savoy United Methodist Church
Sidney Christian Church Women’s Fellowship
Sidney Christian Church Women’s Fellowship
Chuck & Karen Siems, In Memory of Chuck Siems Jr.
C.J. & Sharon Sizemore
Slumberland Furniture
Dr. Mike & Patti Smith
Micah Ventura, Realtor, Keller Williams Realty
David & Kathy Vrona
Jeff & Becky Wilson