The 8th Annual Night of Champions Dinner and Auction 10-26-23

The 8th Annual Brian Muha Foundation Night of Champions Dinner and Auction will take place from 55:30 m to 9 p.m. on Thursday October 26, 2023 at St. Charles Walter Commons, 2010 E. Broad St., Bexley, Ohio 43209.

***400 + guests, 85+ auction packages, 4 raffles, immense impact! Join us for the Night of Champions Dinner and Auction!***

If you would like to attend or would like to be a sponsor, please go to:

https://one.bidpal.net/champions/welcome

“Join us friends! It's working --we are fighting the battles and will win the war. But we need your help. Join our Night of Champions,” said Rachel Muha, founder and director of the Brian Muha Foundation.

The Night of Champions is the Foundation's main fundraising event and helps to pay for all of the services provided to children in need, such as The Run the Race Club, the Day School, the Run the Race Farm as well as nutritious food, a calm environment, food,

guidance and love. There is never a charge for any service.

The Brian Muha Foundation

In 1998, Brian Charles Muha was a student at Franciscan

University in Steubenville, Ohio. He loved children, he loved helping people, and his goal was to become a doctor. On May 31, 1999, Brian's short life ended when two

killers, who chose Brian's off-campus house at random, broke in, assaulted Brian and his friend, Aaron Land, and killed them.

But Brian did not live or die in vain. His kind and charitable spirit lives on in his family and friends who are now committed to helping others in his name because his mother, Rachel Muha, founded The Brian Muha Memorial Foundation with the core

principle of 'Overcoming Evil with Good.'

The Run the Race Center, part of the Brian Muha Foundation, is an after school and summer program for inner city young people.

"We offer them a safe haven so they don't have to be on the streets doing things they

really don't want to do. We offer a food pantry, dinner, Bible study, open gym, basketball

league, art, computer, library, music and tumbling rooms, chess club, book club, board games,

tutoring and homework help; everything a child needs to grow up healthy and become a good,

productive citizen. Everything we offer is free of charge to the children," said Rachel.

In the words of one of our older Racers: "Miss Rachel saved my life! I love her. She kept me off the streets!” He said that he attended The Run The Race Center when it was an after-school program. He says that Rachel and the volunteers are the reasons he completed his high school education. He says Rachel helped keep him away from gangs and the drug world of his neighborhood. He is now successfully employed by a popular carpet-cleaning business here in Columbus.

His story is one of the many, many success stories that are the legacy of the Brian Muha Foundation and the reason for events such as The Night of Champions.

The Night of Champions

The Night of Champions Dinner and Auction is the main fundraiser for the Brian Muha Foundation. This year’s event is bigger and better than ever and offers something for everyone. There is a silent auction, a live auction, raffles and a Heads or Tails game, featuring prizes from a beautiful basket of fine wines to a pair of diamond earrings valued at $2500.00, a trip to Naples, Florida and a Columbus Crew Suite Package valued at $4500.

NBC4 News Anchor Matt Barnes will serve again as our emcee for the evening and will introduce The Most Reverend Bishop Earl K. Fernandes, who will deliver the Blessing. People will have a chance to meet Bishop Fernandes, talk to him and get to know him prior to dinner..

Pianist and vocalist Matt Munhall will provide beautiful music during cocktails and the silent auction.

Nolan Nye, a junior at St. Charles Prepatory School with a passion for live production, will serve as the deejay for the evening.

Charles Easley, whose Easley Street Productions this year produced the popular ‘The Bodyguard-The Musical,’ will sing ‘God Provides,’ written by Kirk Franklin and made popular by Tamela Mann.

Cathy Wickert, President of the Advisory Board for the Brian Muha Foundation,

will introduce professional auctioneer Chris Davis will oversee the Heads or Tails game, the live auction and the Fund-a-Future.

We are so pleased that our very special guest, Gretchen R. Crowe, who wrote ‘Legacy of Mercy,’ the story of Brian Muha’s murder and Rachel Muha’s grace, will attend, and copies of her book will be available.

Rachel and Matt will lead a discussion panel featuring Rachel’s ‘A-Team’—previous Run the Racers, who now work side-by-side with Rachel at the Run the Race Center and exemplify the mission of The Brian Muha Memorial Foundation. They are Cassie Taylor, Daniel Houston, Wayne Anderson, TJ Crowder and Tre'Jour Owens. They will talk about how they've grown since they started at RTR and how they plan to continue growthof the center.

As Cassie said, “The Run the Race is a lifesaver program that’s for sure!”

They will also raffle off a family event at the Run the Race Farm including cooking for a family, horse riding and other fun games.

"It's a chance to make a difference that can last many lifetimes," said Rachel.

Rachel and everyone at The Brian Muha Foundation would like to express their gratitude for the many, many sponsors and volunteers whose generosity makes The Night of Champions possible. We cannot thank you enough.

Learn more about The Night of Champions here:

https://one.bidpal.net/champions/welcome

To learn more about Brian Muha’s life and legacy, The Run the Race Center, The Run the Race Farm, The Day School and The Brian Muha Foundation, go to www.brianmuhafoundation.org

About the Venue

The Walter Commons is one of the largest venues in Central Ohio and features unique architecture. One of the larger ballrooms in the Central Ohio area, it has sky-high ceilings, natural light, brick walls, a grand staircase, stained glass windows and a large and open feel. The Walter Commons is conveniently located close to Downtown Columbus on the grounds of St. Charles Preparatory School. It can seat up to 600 guests and also features state-of-the-art AV equipment. CONTACT 614-252-6714.

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