Welcome to the 2026 St. Jude Evening with the Stars – an evening of celebration and hope in support of the life-saving mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital:

Finding cures. Saving children.® Everywhere.

Tonight, we come together to celebrate the remarkable journey of St. Jude and the impact that continues to shape what the future can hold. As St. Jude Reframes the Future, the focus extends beyond today’s outcomes to the possibilities ahead for children facing life‑threatening illnesses. Your support plays a vital role in building that future and advancing the mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®.

St. Jude is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food - so they can focus on helping their child live.

Thank you for joining us.  Your support is the foundation of all we do for the kids of St. Jude.

Additional Event Highlights

Tonight, we proudly recognize leaders from our community whose enduring commitment is helping shape the next chapter of care and discovery at St. Jude. Their dedication, along with the support of our sponsors and donors, ensures that Central Illinois continues to play a unique and vital role in the history of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Please help us congratulate the following award recipients:

Juanita & Dan Deeb Volunteer Service Award:

Matt Smutz

Corporate Service Award:

Bob Lindsay Acura

Live Auction

Be sure to check out Live Auction opportunities for some once-in-a-lifetime opportunities! Must be present to bid and win.

Give to Live

During the event, guests can make a 100% tax-deductible donation that supports breakthrough research, treatment, and cures at St. Jude.

On behalf of the kids of St. Jude, we thank you for your generous support of the Evening with the Stars. Your generosity directly impacts the lives of not only children and families in Central Illinois and the United States, but also across the globe.

EVENT SCHEDULE

Cocktail Hour

Welcome & Invocation

Elizabeth Stewart, MD • Associate Member Solid Tumor Division

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Opening Remarks

John Kocher • President, St. Jude Midwest Leadership Board

Dinner

Program

Steve Gardner, Jodi Lindsay, Liz Wilson, Justin & Julie May

      Event Chairs

Award Winners
 Matt Smutz • Juanita & Dan Deeb Volunteer Service Award
 Bob Lindsay Acura • Corporate Service Award

Raffle Draw

Live Auction & Give to Live

Trey Morris • Auctioneer

Speakers

Dawn Tanner & Bella Fortner

After Party

Music Traxx

-SPONSORS-

Diamond Sponsor

Jim Bourazak

Platinum Sponsors

210 Financial

CEFCU

Ledgestone Disc Golf

NECA/IBEW

Oberlander Electric

Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino

Philip McCully & Associates

Ride 4 Dray

Gold Sponsors

Basic ITS

Bob Lindsay Acura

Bremer Jewelry

David Vaughan Investments, LLC

Elger Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors

The Nethery Group at Baird Private Wealth Management

P’Sghetti’s and The Perkins Family

R/A Hoerr Inc.

Riverside Chevrolet

Silver Sponsors

Accenture

Aupperle Construction

Busey Bank

Create A Scene Events

Echo Electric

Graybar Electric

Green Chevrolet

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.

Midwest Construction Professionals

Pekin Insurance

Red Carpet Car Wash

-AWARD RECIPIENTS-

Juanita & Dan Deeb Volunteer Service Award

Congratulations: Matt Smutz

Matt and his wife, Linda, have been dedicated supporters of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for many years. Matt joined the Midwest Leadership Board of Directors in 2007 and served for 13 years, providing sustained leadership and oversight. 

Since 2009, Matt has served as the auditor for the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway, meticulously auditing every ticket sold to ensure accuracy and integrity. In addition, he has led the accounting operations for the St. Jude Telethon since 2007, overseeing all revenue components—including check presentations, VIP fundraising, and real-time financial reporting for hourly updates and the final on-air total. Matt also served on the committee for the St. Jude Peoria Golf Classic for seven years.

His long-standing commitment reflects a deep dedication to accountability, excellence, and the mission of St. Jude. 

Corporate Service Award

Congratulations: Bob Lindsay Acura

The Bob Lindsay Honda/Acura Family has been a dedicated supporter of the Peoria St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway since 2015, generously donating a vehicle valued at over $25,000 each year from its own inventory. Their ongoing commitment has played a significant role in helping the campaign sell out annually during their years of participation.

Beyond financial contributions, Bob Lindsay Honda/Acura has provided critical operational support by offering property access for the Memphis to Peoria Run send-off and motorhome clean up, as well as the use of dealership vehicles for the Princeville to Peoria Run.

Further exemplifying their dedication, Jodi Lindsay serves on the St. Jude Midwest Leadership Board of Directors and has co-chaired the St. Jude Evening with the Stars Gala since 2016. Her leadership and advocacy have been instrumental in advancing the mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Additionally, Jodi’s guidance on the St. Jude Peoria Golf Classic committee, paired with the company’s annual support, has helped elevate the event to new levels of success.

Their partnership exemplifies sustained generosity, leadership, and a deep commitment to supporting St. Jude families.

-FEATURED SPEAKERS-

Dawn Tanner

St. Jude Patient

Dawn Tanner grew up in Central Illinois.  She married her husband, Jordan, in 2011, and they have two awesome and energetic kids - Silas and Isabella. 

When Dawn isn’t chasing after her kids, she works as a Physician Assistant.  As a PA she has enjoyed caring for patients in the Emergency Department and she currently sees patients at the OSF Prompt Cares, but her favorite job was the 5 years she spent working as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN.

She is a St. Jude Runner, a cancer survivor, and she loves to tell people about what an impact St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has made on her life.

Bella Fortner

St. Jude Patient

Annabelle Fortner, who goes by Bella, was born and raised in Minonk, Illinois. She is currently a student in the Mennonite College of Nursing Program at Illinois State University. While attending ISU, she serves as a student ambassador in the Admissions office and is an active member of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, where she enjoys philanthropic work and giving back to others.

Bella is the youngest of four daughters and values spending time with her sisters, niece, and nephew. When she is not studying hard for patho-pharm/nursing exams or attending clinicals, she enjoys being involved on campus or in her community.

-COMMITTEE-

Chairs:

Steve Gardner

Jodi Lindsay

Liz Wilson

Julie & Justin May

Committee Members:

Ashley Bradshaw

Amanda Campbell

Curt Curtis

Melissa Fox

Kristy Howell

Megan Jackson

Tracy Korger

Jim Lindsay

Mike McCoy

Kari McCracken

Ryan McCracken

Tammy Risinger

Sherry Semonis

Annette Slyman

Megan Wineland

Thank you to the St. Jude Evening with the Stars Committee Members.

This event would not be possible without you!

-MIDWEST LEADERSHIP BOARD OF DIRECTORS-

Midwest Leadership Board of Directors

Chairman of the Board: Rich Unes

Vice Chairman of the Board: Mike McCoy

President: John Kocher

Past President: Steve Gardner

Vice President: Jeff Ward

Secretary: Liz Wilson

Treasurer: John McKinty

Board Members

Lupe Alcala

Andrew Black

Kevin Callis

Tim Campbell

Scott Elger

James Fisher

George Ghareeb

James Ingold

Michael Joseph

Scott Lewis

Jodi Lindsay

Michael Maloof

Scott Martin

Julie May

John McKinty

Travis Mohlenbrink

Kevin Pautler

Ryan Pierson

Dr. Thomas Rashid

Rick Semonis

Eric Shane

Annette Slyman

Libby Swearingen

Spencer Swearingen

Emily Weeks

National ALSAC/St. Jude Board Members

Rich Unes & Michael D. McCoy

ALSAC Leadership Board
Rick Semonis & Kevin Pautler