Volunteers Bring Heart to the Great Hearts Gala

Each year, the Great Hearts Gala brings together families, supporters, and the community to celebrate and support teachers through the Teacher Excellence Fund. But the heavy lift of this annual event doesn’t happen by accident. It takes the dedication, passion, and a little elbow grease from the volunteer committee members. These volunteers are from multiple academies who come together for this network-wide effort that includes planning and raising awareness for the event.

This year’s Great Hearts Gold Rush Gala will take place on November 7, 2025, at Warehouse 215 in Phoenix, Arizona. You can purchase tickets to the event or learn more about becoming a sponsor at GreatHeartsGala.org. Get your discounted tickets before September 30^th.

According to Keara Marsh, Development Officer of Events, nearly 85 volunteers came together to ensure the Gala’s success last year. This group included Great Hearts home office staff, parents, committee members, students, and program participants such as the Bard, Barbershop Quartet, and emcee. General volunteers also handled everything from set-up to silent auction management to guest registration. This year, 17 committee members representing seven of the twelve Arizona campuses are working to bring the 2025 Gala to life.

For many parents, volunteering is both an act of service and a way to strengthen their bonds with the Great Hearts community. “Volunteering at both Great Hearts Scottsdale campuses has been the most meaningful way for me to give back to a school and community that I deeply value,” shared Amanda Ryan, a parent at Archway Scottsdale and Scottsdale Preparatory. “Supporting the annual Gala and raising money for the Teacher Excellence Fund allows me to make a direct and more meaningful impact on the educators who shape our children’s lives every day.”

For Ryan, the experience has given back to her personally. “Beyond the mission itself, I love how volunteering connects me to other parents and community members. I have built so many lasting relationships and friendships that strengthen our sense of unity and shared purpose.”

Another committee member, Desarae Puchta, shared that same sentiment. A parent of four boys at Great Hearts Glendale campus, she has been volunteering on the Gala committee for three years. “My story is very similar to many parents who volunteer at Great Hearts. We love the school with our whole hearts and want to show our appreciation and thanks any way possible… With four boys currently enrolled, I see firsthand the impact Great Hearts teachers have on their students, not only academically, but in shaping their character and confidence.”

Puchta’s most memorable Gala moment was seeing a teacher honored by one of her earliest students. “Seeing that full-circle moment was incredibly moving and a perfect reminder of why this work matters.”

For Valerie Spengler, a parent at the Great Hearts Cicero campus, volunteering began when her oldest child was just starting kindergarten. “I joined the Great Hearts Gala committee as an early parent because I wanted to get to know the community more and begin to have a hand in the success of our school. What I quickly discovered was that the Gala is more than a fundraiser — it’s a direct channel to have meaningful impact on the teachers who make Great Hearts so special.”

Like many others, Spengler sees the Gala as a way to ensure Great Hearts attracts and retains excellent teachers. “What keeps me coming back each year is knowing the Gala supports the teachers who often spend more waking hours with our children than we do as parents. It’s critical that we attract and retain the very best talent, and the Teacher Excellence Fund does exactly that by rewarding and honoring our top performing educators in a meaningful way.”

Each of these volunteers highlights the same truth that the Gala is about more than an event. It’s about a community uniting to celebrate teachers, strengthen bonds, and ensure students thrive. For those who feel inspired to get involved, there’s always room for more hands and hearts. If you would like to support our great-hearted teachers by serving on our 2026 Gala committee, please reach out to Keara Marsh at keara.marsh@greathearts.org.

Do you have a story or know of one that you would like to see featured at Great Hearts? Please contactjmoore@greatheartsamerica.org.

Submit a student application to a Great Hearts Academy by visiting: https://www.greatheartsamerica.org/enroll/.

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