For the 12th year in a row, Avalon and Bert’s Big Adventure came together to create an unforgettable evening filled with fashion, community, compassion, and a whole lot of magic. Noon to Night: A Fall Fashion Benefit was truly one for the books!
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our supporters, we raised a record-breaking $165,000 for Bert’s Big Adventure!
Guests were treated to an extraordinary night that began with delicious tastings and cocktails from Avalon’s renowned restaurants, followed by a phenomenal fashion show featuring clothing from the best-in-class retailers that call Avalon home.
Every Bert’s Big Adventure kiddo radiated confidence and absolutely loved showing off their fabulous fall looks! And the magic didn’t stop when they stepped off the runway. Our incredible friends at Gas South surprised each family by gifting the kiddos their outfits to take home. Now, they can show off their brand-new looks at school!
Heartwarming Highlights from the Runway
While every moment was special, a few memories will stay with us forever.
A Record-Breaking Start
The very first donation of the evening left us speechless. Brett Finkelstein raised his paddle with an incredible $25,000 gift, sending a wave of excitement and shock through the crowd. And then, in an incredible show of generosity, The Wadholm Family matched it with another $25,000 donation!
As the evening continued, paddles continued to rise, ultimately helping us reach a record-breaking $165,000. We are so grateful to every person who helped make this incredible.
Friendships That Make the Magic: Brooke, who joined the Bert’s Big Adventure family this year, and Bailey, who traveled with us to Disney in 2025, met for the first time at Noon to Night and instantly became best friends. The two spent the day together, picked out jewelry at Kendra Scott, and even got their hair and nails done side by side. Seeing friendships blossom between kiddos from different Bert’s Big Adventure trips is one of the sweetest parts of our family.
Asher’s Dinosaur Debut: Kristin Klingshirn walked alongside Asher, who absolutely stole the show with his dinosaur impression! With Kristin by his side, Asher was completely comfortable being himself and sharing his love of dinosaurs with the crowd.
Kendell’s Family Story: Kendell’s parents took the stage to share a heartfelt glimpse into their family’s journey and how meaningful it has been to have a new Bert’s Big Adventure family to lean on. Moments later, Kendell stepped onto the runway to a loud round of cheers. The love and encouragement from the crowd could be felt throughout the entire evening.
Strike A Pose: Siah brought his signature moonwalk to the runway alongside our friend Malachi from Lululemon, while Jameson struck a pose with his new bestie, Colin Lentz from Lanier Valley Dentistry.
These are the moments that make Noon to Night so much more than a fashion show. They remind us what the Bert’s Big Adventure family is all about: courage, confidence, friendship, joy, and love.
Gratitude That Shines Bright
This magical evening was only possible thanks to the incredible team and partners who poured their hearts into every detail:
Team Avalon: Nina, Courtney, Sydney, Michael, Bianca, and every single member on the Avalon team whose dedication makes this night so special. Year after year, you welcome Bert’s Big Adventure with open arms and help transform Avalon into the most beautiful setting for our kiddos to shine.
Emcees Fox 5’s Paul Milliken and Nikky Williams: For the second year in a row, you brought incredible energy, charm, and personality to the stage! You kept the crowd engaged, laughing, cheering, and celebrating our kiddos every step of the way.
Randi Layne and Catwalk Productions: Your eye for detail and flawless execution never cease to amaze us. We have had the joy of working with your team for years, and you always know exactly how to make our kiddos feel comfortable, confident, and absolutely beautiful in every outfit. Thank you for creating a runway experience where every kiddo can feel like the star they are!
Auctioneer Dean Crownover: Your passion, generosity, and ability to rally a room are unmatched! Dean knows how to get a crowd excited, and this year, he truly outdid himself. Your encouragement inspired guests to open their hearts to support our families.
DJ Willy T “Tommy Owen”: Thank you for keeping the energy high from start to finish! From the perfect runway beats to the songs that had everyone smiling, you knew exactly how to set the mood and keep the celebration moving.
Gas South and Button It Up Photography: Thank you for bringing the fun with the 360 photo booth! You helped guests capture their best sides while creating a fun keepsake they can treasure long after the evening came to an end.
Love, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Yvonne Monet and The Hotel at Avalon: From the cocktails and hospitality to the incredible after-party experience, you created the perfect setting for our guests to relax, celebrate, and enjoy the magic of the evening.
Davila Photography, Colleen of XXiii Photo, Henry Palmer, and Masters of Visual Arts: Thank you for capturing the joy, laughter, love, and magic of Noon to Night so beautifully.
And of course, a huge thank-you to Drybar, Kendra Scott, and Woodhouse Spa Avalon for pampering our kiddos with the VIP treatment and all the glam they deserved! And a special shoutout to CHIRINGA for keeping our kiddos fueled with delicious meals and the energy they needed to rock the runway!
And to our incredible Fairy Godparent volunteers, we simply can’t thank you enough! From working tirelessly behind the scenes to helping our kiddos feel confident and comfortable on the runway, you were there every step of the way. Your time, energy, and endless encouragement helped make the night so magical.
Thank you to everyone who placed their bids during the Noon to Night Silent Auction, and to our very generous donors! We can’t wait for our winners to claim their prizes and enjoy unforgettable experiences – all in support of our incredible kiddos and their families.
Our Sponsors: The True Champions
We extend our deepest gratitude to our corporate and community partners who champion our mission: Q99.7 Atlanta, Modern Luxury, Ardis Law, Wild Heaven, Old Fourth Ward Distillery, La Pulga, Gallo, Clos du Bois, Hahn Wines, Viarae Wines, The Celebratory Story, Arhaus, Nothing Bundt Cakes, and so many more.
It truly takes a village to bring Noon to Night to life. To everyone who cheered, donated, volunteered, and celebrated with us, thank you for helping the Bert’s Big Adventure children smile, strut, and make memories they’ll carry with them long after the blue carpet.
