An Evening to Celebrate Arizona’s Youth
Connections of Hope is the largest fundraiser supporting Teen Lifeline each year, supporting the “connections of hope” found daily by troubled teens on our peer-to-peer hotline. At $300 per ticket, you’ll enjoy a delectable dinner, exceptional youth entertainment, live and silent auctions, and an opportunity to support our life-saving work.
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Become a Sponsor Becoming a sponsor has benefits for both you and the youth Teen Lifeline serves. Sponsorships range from $3,500 to $100,000, with increasing levels of recognition and backing crucial youth programs. Sponsorship Packages
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Donate Items for Auction The gala’s auctions are an important source of our funds, only possible through supporters’ generosity. Items include getaways, home services, and unique pieces. All proceeds go towards preventing teen suicide. Donate auction items
Our 2025 Honoree: Danny Sharaby
“As a father of three grown daughters, I understand the challenges today’s youth are facing in an increasingly complex world. Supporting Teen Lifeline is incredibly important to me, and I’m deeply humbled by this honor. I remain committed to helping teens know they are never alone.”
Danny Sharaby is a visionary entrepreneur, passionate advocate, and unwavering supporter of youth mental health. As founder and president of Tickets Unlimited, Danny has spent over four decades connecting people with unforgettable experiences—from concerts to sporting events worldwide. But it’s his deep commitment to community that truly sets him apart.
Danny and his wife, Jenna, are dedicated champions of Teen Lifeline’s mission. Their generosity and advocacy have empowered countless teens to know they are never alone—making a life-saving difference in moments of crisis.
As a devoted civic leader, Danny served on the Arizona Commission on the Arts for two terms (appointed by Governor Doug Ducey) and is an avid art collector.
He also contributes his time and insight to the Camelback East Village Planning Committee, a role he has held since 2015. He continues to play a leading role in the ticketing industry as Secretary of the National Association of Ticket Brokers, where he drives integrity and transparency.
Above all, Danny is a proud father of three grown daughters, whose presence continues to inspire his commitment to building a safer, more compassionate world for young people.
Whether in business, civic service, or philanthropy, Danny Sharaby leads with purpose, vision, and an unwavering dedication to creating lasting impact and we are proud to honor him with the Community Lifeline Award for his extraordinary commitment to building hope and saving lives.
Event Chair Bonnie Love
“In the moments when the darkness feels endless, may we be the ones who whisper, ‘You are not alone. Stay.’”
Bonnie Love is a devoted mother, seasoned entrepreneur, and heart-led community leader whose work spans real estate, wellness, and philanthropy. For over 12 years, she has served the Valley through her success in luxury residential real estate and in the employer benefits space, helping organizations elevate health and productivity outcomes for their teams.
A certified yoga teacher and the voice behind the Meditate with Love podcast, Bonnie brings a soulful presence to everything she creates—guiding others to reconnect with themselves and the world around them. Her work is grounded in both purpose and compassion.
Her commitment to service runs deep. She was a founding member of the Women’s Board for St. Vincent de Paul, where she remains deeply involved in the Family Campus and Dream Center. She has supported Central Arizona Shelter Services, numerous LGBTQ+ initiatives, and has been a nominee for Woman of the Year by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, where she has contributed to multiple fundraising campaigns.
As the mother of two teenage daughters, her dedication to Teen Lifeline is both personal and powerful. She believes in a world where every young person feels seen, supported, and deeply valued.
Community Lifeline Award
The Community Lifeline Award, given to a chosen Honoree at the Connections of Hope Gala, celebrates individuals who selflessly devote their time, talent, and resources to local causes. Each award recipient serves as a community role model, inspiring others with their personal and professional integrity, leadership, and compassion. In 2004, the award was named in honor of the inaugural recipient, Alfredo J. Molina, for his service to Arizona youth and our community.
Previous award recipients include Alfredo J. Molina (2004), Peter Thomas (2005), Carole and Bob Machiz (2006), Derrick Hall (2007), Linda and Bill Pope (2008), John R. Norton III (2009), Bridget Pettis (2011), Jerry Colangelo (2012), Larry Fitzgerald Jr. (2013), Jordin Sparks (2014), Donald Tapia (2015), Tom Hatten (2016), Erik Olsson (2017), David Alexander (2018), Sissie Roberts Shank (2019), Lorry Bottrill (2021), Mandy Purcell (2022), David Allred (2023), and Darleen “Coach Dar” Santore (2024).
Highlights from 2024’s Gala
On Friday, October 4th, 2024, Teen Lifeline held the 20th annual Connections of Hope Gala at the brand-new Caesars Republic Hotel Scottsdale. Hundreds of people gathered that night to support teen suicide prevention and the life-saving connections our programs create. Thanks to you, our gala was truly a night to remember.
In addition to celebrating the impact of our work, the Connections of Hope Gala also highlighted the important work of Darleen Santore, better known as “Coach Dar.” Darleen is living proof that one person can make a difference; she’s a best-selling author, occupational therapist, and mental edge performance coach to professional athletes and business leaders worldwide.
A team of passionate professionals led the event to success, including: Event Chair Melissa Costello, Honoree Darleen Santore, Mistress of Ceremonies Carey Peña, and our event advisors Lana Breen, Irene Clary, Jeff & Danielle Fields, Mandy Purcell, and Jen Reid.
Entertainment included teen singer/songwriter Tia Penny, live and silent auctions run by auctioneer Letitia Frye, awarding Peer of the Year to Kate, stories from peer counselors Wynter and Kaitlyn, and an after-party with DJ Alex Dahl.
Read the full event recap on LinkedIn: Creating Life-Saving Connections at Teen Lifeline’s 2024 Connections of Hope Gala.
This event has both live and silent auctions, with proceeds supporting Teen Lifeline and our life-saving work in teen suicide prevention. The items in our auctions often include one-of-a-kind experiences (such as with sports teams like the Phoenix Suns or the Diamondbacks) and luxury items with high-tier donors such as Black Starr & Frost.
If you would like to donate an auction item, please fill out this form: PDF or Google Forms.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to our auction. For a full list of last event’s auction donors, please visit teenlifeline.org/auction-items.
