Warwick Gala Raises Over $60,000 for St. Jude
The U R My Sunshine event at the Crowne Plaza more than doubled its fundraising total from its inaugural year.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Philanthropy
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The U R My Sunshine Gala held at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick raised more than $60,000 to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The event was established to honor the lives of Jaclyn Bagdasarian and Joseph Pelosi Sr. following their deaths from cancer.
Why it matters
The gala serves as a dedicated fundraising platform for cancer research while celebrating the legacies of Bagdasarian and Pelosi Sr. Organizers are now expanding their scope to include direct support for patients currently undergoing treatment.
The 2026 event brought in over $60,000 for St. Jude, a significant increase from the $32,000 raised during the inaugural gala in 2025.
The players
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
This pediatric treatment and research facility focuses on catastrophic diseases in children, particularly leukemia and other cancers.
Jaclyn Bagdasarian
Her life is honored by the gala following her death from cancer in 2023.
Joseph Pelosi Sr.
His memory is commemorated by the fundraising organization alongside Jaclyn Bagdasarian.
The details
The gala featured both live and silent auctions organized by the Micheletti family, who sourced items from personal contacts and community members. Event staff also managed valet services to accommodate attendees during a storm.
Timeline
The 2025 gala marked the debut of the fundraising event.
The 2026 U R My Sunshine gala occurred on October 21, 2026.
Market Landscape
The gala joins a long history of local philanthropic efforts supporting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. By scaling their revenue, the organizers are positioning their initiative to expand beyond research funding into direct patient support services.
The growth of this local event signals new opportunities for community members to donate to cancer research and support future housing initiatives. Local residents should watch for updates regarding the upcoming launch of Jack and Joes House.
The takeaway
Community-led events like this demonstrate the impact of grassroots fundraising on major medical institutions. Organizers plan to expand their mission by launching Jack and Joes House to provide housing and transportation for cancer patients.
Further reading
For more stories on local charitable initiatives, see Philanthropy.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Rhode Island Monthly.
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