PLAY IT FORWARD
When children carry the trauma of a parent's incarceration, the carefree moments others take for granted—play, safety, imagination—are replaced with adult-sized burdens no child should ever have to endure.
That's why we invite you to reconnect with your inner child and remember how childhood is meant to feel. It's a reminder of our shared responsibility to protect and preserve what every child deserves: joy, belonging, and the freedom to simply be a kid.
Join us for a joy-filled evening of reflection, celebration and play. After all, adults deserve recess, too!
Honoring Champions for Children
- Carmen Anderson, The Heinz Endowments
- William Carpenter, Carpenter Construction
- Derrick Wilson, The Wilson Group
- Lisa Wilson, Kyle B. Wilson Scholarship Fund
LET KIDS BE KIDS
Childhood favorites. Grown-up sophistication.
- Creative Cuisine
- Crafty Cocktails
- Nostalgic Games & Play Zones
- Live Music & DJ
- When
- September 29th, 2026
VIP Admission | Reception 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM | $250
General Admission | Doors Open 6:00 PM | $150 - Dress code
- Playfully Polished | Think vibrant colors, fun patterns, or cool sneakers
- RSVP
- By September 17, 2026
Honorary Chairs
- Diana Bucco, The Buhl Foundation
- Dr. Quintin Bullock, Community College of Allegheny County
Event Chairs
- Gregg Kander, Chair
- Andrew Stewart and Michele Ferrier, Co-Chairs
Host Committee
- Ali and Ben Kander
- Andrea & James Young
- Andrea Clark Smith
- April & Howard Russell
- Cathy & Michael Samuels
- Christine Washington
- Connie Thornhill Bettis
- Damon Bethea*
- Dan Erin*
- Derrick Wilson
- Dr. Deb Moss*
- Ed Grattan*
- Ernest Sota*
- Janis Burley
- Kate Lovelace*
- Leah Hemminger*
- Linda Simon
- Lisa Wilson
- M. Gayle Moss
- Maisha Sturdivant*
- Margo Fall & Jon Fingeret
- Michele Taylor*
- Michelle Chenn*
- Rick Stern & Stephanie Lambdin
- Robyn Guy*
- Selene & Caleb Richardson
- Steve Mendelson & Toni Chiappini
- Susan & Leonard Silk
- Will Carpenter* & Stacy Weiss
Anna Hollis Kander, Executive Director
*Amachi Pittsburgh Board Member
Sponsors
- Heinz Endowments
- Will Carpenter
- Jack and Jill of America Inc
- Derrick Wilson
- Anna & Gregg Kander
- Axiom Advancement Corporation
- Rick Stern
- Bob Levin
- Jim and Louisa Rudolph
- Bill and Debbie Demchak
- Dollar Bank
- The Kyle B. Wilson Scholarship Fund
- Kate Lovelace
- Deb Moss
- Andrew Stewart
- Leah Hemminger
- PPG (Leah Hemminger)
- UPMC
- Pittsburgh Penguins
- Highmark
- Dominic Dozzi
- CCAC
- Dan Erin
- H & A Russell Foundation
- Damon Bethea
- The Burke Foundation
- Linda Simon
- Robyn Guy
- Carl Krasik
- Lynn Cullen
- Cindy Lieb
- Diane Newland (JCC)
- Lisa Peters & Carl Krasik
- Ed Grattan
- Rivers Casino