Night of Joy - NEGU - Jessie Rees Foundation

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Night of Joy: An Unforgettable Evening of Impact

The 5th Annual Night of Joy was held on Saturday, July 19, on the beautiful Botanical Lawn at the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort and Club. The evening brought together generous supporters and community partners for an inspiring food and wine experience, united by a shared commitment to bringing joy to kids fighting cancer.

Thanks to the compassion and generosity of those in attendance, more than $150,000 was raised—enough to send 6,000 JoyJars to Courageous Kids in treatment. Each JoyJar is a reminder that kids are loved, not alone, and encouraged to NEGU—Never Ever Give Up.

A special thanks to Apriem Advisors, our Gold Sponsor, and Landmark Vineyards who provided the exceptional wine and guided tasting experience.

A powerful moments that night came from Courageous Teen Aiden:

“NEGU gave me more than just moments of joy. They reminded me that no matter what I was feeling at the moment, cancer doesn’t define who I am. NEGU helped me hold on to who I was beyond the disease. Most of all, NEGU reminded me that I was never fighting alone. Through every JoyJar, every gift, and every encouraging word, NEGU was there—showing up for me exactly when I needed it most. Thank you for standing with kids like me in our toughest moments.”

The Night of Joy is more than a food and wine tasting—it’s a powerful reminder of what’s possible when people come together to bring hope, joy, and encouragement to families facing childhood cancer. We hope you will join us on June 27, 2026 for the 6th Annual Night of Joy. Tickets will become available in early spring.