One of the most iconic figures of the 1960s civil rights movement—a little girl named Ruby Bridges, who came to represent the courage and dreams of an entire generation striving for racial equality—rose up for hope once again at One Hope United’s annual gala, Hope In Action: Rise Up for Children, on Saturday, May 4, at the Hilton Chicago.

In conversation with Chicago Tonight‘s Brandis Friedman, Bridges recalled integrating New Orleans’s public schools at just six years old, and the courage it took her family to take that stand.

“I remember people shouting and throwing things; I knew that if I got past the crowd and got into the school, everything was going to be OK,” Bridges said. But her mother would “pray every day until 3 o’clock” when Bridges made it safely home from school. Still, the family persevered, and Bridges’ mother taught her, “If you really wanted to see change, you had to step up to the plate and do it yourself.”

Guests and sponsors of Hope In Action stepped up and raised over $261,000, a 6% net increase over the previous year. We’re very appreciative of the immense support that has been shown for our organization, which brings us one step closer to fulfilling our vision, “For every child and family, life without limits.”

Two of the biggest highlights of the night were the presentations of the 4th Annual Ermit Finch Impact Award to Jeremy Harvey and the Leadership in Giving award to the Grand Victoria Foundation! Check out Jeremy’s inspiring story captured in the video below.

The evening concluded with an energetic and heartfelt performance by Miguel Cervantes, who plays Alexander Hamilton in Hamilton: An American Musical in Chicago. Cervantes spoke movingly about having the ability to meet the needs of his daughter Adelaide, who was diagnosed at a young age with epilepsy, and thanked the audience for rising up to support the children served by One Hope United.

Visit us on Facebook to view all of the fun photos from the night. Be sure to tag yourself and your friends!

A big thank you to all who came out to “Rise Up for Children” and help make the evening such a success. Didn’t have the chance to raise your paddle at Hope In Action 2018? You can still support OHU by clicking here.