Grab your tuxedos and gowns and join us at the Detroit Athletic Club on Saturday, December 21st (6-10pm) for the 2nd Annual Handprints on the Heart Gala!  This black tie event will be full of great food & drink, amazing raffles, a virtual auction and inspiring stories of love, hope and commitment to helping NICU babies and their families when they need it most! 

Don't wait, this event will sell out fast, so get your tickets today!

Interested in becoming a sponsor? 

Donating to the raffle and auction? 

Placing an ad in our Event Program? 

Select below for additional information!

Are you a business who would like to support the gala? Your company logo will appear in the event program from your generous donation choice.

Are you an individual/family that would like to support the gala? Your family name (Ex. The Smith Family) will appear in the event program from your generous donation. 

Do you know the honoree family this year? Your generous donation can provide space for a message in the event program.

This year the Bryson and Baker Batt Foundation is honoring the Brown Family - Rachel, Matthew, and Oliver have had a long journey to building their family including in vitro fertilization and a long NICU stay. It's important to honor families like these who the foundation touches to share their story. It takes a strong heart and a lot of courage to endure what they've gone through.

Oliver Matthew Brown was born on October 1, 2023 at twenty-seven weeks and one day gestational age, weighing two pounds five ounces, and measuring seventeen inches long. Oliver’s journey to being born was a long one, and his journey to coming home to his mom, Rachel, and dad, Matthew, after 116 days at Ascension St. John’s NICU was even longer.

After two and half difficult years of trying to conceive, Rachel became pregnant in April of 2023 with the help of in vitro fertilization. Rachel and Matthew excitedly shared the news with their family and friends and enjoyed an uneventful pregnancy.

However, Rachel tested positive for COVID-19 on September 23, she informed her doctor and isolated to rest and recover. Rachel went to bed the night of September 30, but woke up with stomach issues and abdominal pain. She alerted her husband, who promptly called 911 because there wasn’t enough time to get to the hospital. Within minutes, the police arrived, and Oliver was born at 3:19 am at Rachel and Matthew’s home. He wasn’t breathing,but the police were able to clear his airway and get him breathing. An ambulance then took Rachel and Oliver to Ascension St. John.

The next few days were a blur of tests, meetings with numerous doctors and nurses in the NICU, learning medical terms, and spending time with Oliver. Over the duration of his stay, Oliver worked relentlessly to lower his respiratory support, breathe on his own, gain weight, overcome numerous medical issues, eat from a bottle, and come home.

After 116 days of ups and downs, exciting steps forward and terrifying steps back, resilience and perseverance, Oliver came home to Rachel and Matthew on January 24, 2024. Oliver is growing into a happy, strong baby who loves playing with his mom and dad, rolling over, smiling, laughing, and finding his voice.

Is there a dress code?  Yes!  The event is Black Tie, so that means formal attire  - tuxedos or suit and tie for the guys and elegant dresses for the ladies. If you are staying at the DAC, use this link to check out their dress code guidelines for hotel guests.

Where should I park?  There are two options – Valet is $12 and Self-parking is $10 (prices are subject to change per the DAC)

Is the event a sit-down dinner?  Nope!  This is a “strolling” event – that means you can grab a drink and some food, walk around, chat with your friends and family, or make new ones, at your leisure - and don’t forget to check out the raffle baskets!  Unless you would like to purchase one of the few available tables for 10 here – then feel free to sit at your reserved table as much as you like :)

Speaking of raffle baskets… Thanks to our generous donors, we have an amazing selection of raffle baskets – Tickets will be available for purchase at the gala or you can pre-order your tickets here.

Is there a silent auction as well?  Yes!  We have some fantastic items for you to bid on right from your phone! A link to the bidding site will be emailed as the event date nears.

Wait, where is the event again?  This year our Gala is being held at the beautiful Detroit Athletic Club  - 241 Madison Street, Detroit, MI.

What is the time of the event?  6-10pm.

What if I have more questions? Glad you asked!  If you have any additional questions just send us an email brysonandbakerbattfoundation@gmail.com 

Thank you to our Sponsors!