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.
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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 2023 Honoree
David Allred
President at Douglas Allred Company
For more than 35 years, David Allred has specialized in developing and marketing some of the most significant commercial and industrial properties across Arizona, California, and Texas. As the President of Douglas Allred Company, Dave has built a reputation for bringing together a highly specialized team for each project, resulting in a high level of involvement with city economic development teams and industry leaders.
Further leveraging his strengths in connection, Dave has been closely involved in numerous philanthropic efforts with organizations ranging from after-school childcare to the fine arts across Arizona and California. As a firm believer in the positive impact one can have on the lives of others, Dave dedicates not only monetary contributions, but also his time to various children’s hospitals, serving on the UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center Board of Visitors, and being Co-Chairman of the Widows & Orphans Fund with the San Diego Police Officers Association for over a decade. An active member of the Arizona Chapter of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties, his company has also sponsored NAIOP’s Night at the Fights annual event since it began.
Dave and his family have provided generous support to various local nonprofit organizations, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley – Chandler Compadres Branch; a multi-million-dollar donation to University of Arizona Athletics in 2022; and involvement in the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego for many years.
Furthermore, the family founded the Allred Clubhouse, which serves over 40 children from kindergarten through third grade in a healthy living and character-building environment. The Allred Family is not only passionate about providing support for the next generation, but also for veterans through their heartfelt and impactful donations to the Gary Sinise Foundation, a charity and veterans service organization that offers a variety of programs, services, and events for wounded veterans of the military.
A compassionate leader and role model in his community, Dave has been a strong supporter of Teen Lifeline’s mission to save lives and strengthen local communities. He humbly believes the teens that are investing their time to provide that sense of social connectedness for their peers in need are the true heroes; the company is just grateful to be able to provide the platform and resources for them to do so.
Alfredo J. Molina Community Lifeline Award
At Connections of Hope, we honor a local philanthropist with the Alfredo J. Molina Community Lifeline Award for their extraordinary contributions to the service of others, particularly to youth. The recipient serves as a community role model, inspiring others with their personal and professional integrity, leadership, and compassion.
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), and David Allred (2023).
Highlights from 2023’s Gala
On the evening of Saturday, October 14, 2023, Arizona’s philanthropic community came together to support a shared dream: a future with no suicide. There, we also celebrated the charitable work of David Allred, President at Douglas Allred Company and supporter of more than a dozen philanthropic efforts ranging from veteran services to youth healthcare.
A team of passionate professionals led the event to success, including: Event Chairs Jen Reid and Shelby Swihart, Honoree David Allred, Mistress of Ceremonies Danielle Lerner, and our event advisors Alfredo J. Molina, Barb & Hugh Lytle, Danielle & Jeff Fields, Irene Clary, Lana Breen, and Mandy Purcell.
Entertainment included teen singer/songwriter Tia Penny, live and silent auctions run by auctioneer Yve Rojas, awarding Peer of the Year to Claira, stories from peer counselors Bhavya and Ella, and an after-party with DJ HartBreaks.
Together, you helped keep alive the connection of hope teens find in Teen Lifeline, raising nearly $645,000 for our suicide prevention work!
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/in-kind-donors.
