Posted on March 30, 2026
Annual fundraiser featured game-changing matching gift challenge.
By Kari Ebeling
Penn-Mar Director of Development and Special Events
Kari Ebeling and Greg Kahlert stand together at the Gala.
With more than three decades of experience producing large‑scale fundraising events, I’ve learned that every gala has its own personality, its own rhythm, and its own set of challenges. Stepping into my first solo Penn-Mar Gala this year, what stood out most was not the complexity of the work, but the way this organization, and the community around it, shows up when it matters most.
Penn-Mar’s 34th Annual Gala, held March 7th at the Marriott Owings Mills Metro Centre, stands as the cornerstone of our fundraising efforts. Thanks to the dedication of our incredible volunteers, the enthusiasm of loyal friends and supporters, and the energy of 500 sold‑out guests, the evening once again felt like a homecoming. Together, we raised more than $800,000 in support of our mission, a result that reflects what is possible when this community comes together with purpose.
With the need for philanthropic investment growing across the nonprofit sector, one of my goals each year is to keep the Gala feeling fresh while not losing sight of why we gather in the first place. This year, our production team focused on reinforcing Penn-Mar’s mission through consistent verbal and visual storytelling, so guests could feel who we are from the moment they walked into the ballroom.
Jenn Hobbs (L) and Kari Ebeling (R) smile and pose together in front of a Gala backdrop.
Lighted personalized photo centerpieces, a moving pre‑program photo montage, and the participation of the people we support in our Special Appeal video kept the focus on real lives and real stories. Those moments reminded everyone in the room why Penn-Mar’s work matters.
There were many standout moments for me this year.
Our sponsor family grew significantly, increasing from 22 sponsors in 2025 to 31 this year, a testament to the community’s belief in our mission.
We were especially honored to present Penn-Mar’s 2026 Distinguished Humanitarian Award to The Kahlert Foundation in recognition of its longstanding commitment to strengthening communities and expanding opportunities for people and families.
The Foundation also inspired the room that evening through a generous $200,000 matching challenge during the Special Appeal, encouraging guests to give in support of Penn-Mar’s mission. With their match, the appeal ultimately raised $450,000, supporting the renovation of our new Penn-Mar West Day Program location in Carroll County.
The Kahlert Foundation’s partnership continues to make a meaningful difference, including support for our Career Ladders program, which provides training and advancement opportunities for our Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), the dedicated team members who make our work possible every day.
Kari Ebeling and Bill Wagaman, a person supported by Penn-Mar, smile and pose together at the Gala.
Volunteerism was also celebrated. We presented Northrop Grumman’s Sykesville team with the Jonathan R. Kinsley Impact Award for their hands‑on work enhancing Penn-Mar residences, from power washing and trimming trees to carefully tending garden beds. Their service is a reminder that support comes in many forms, and every act makes a difference.
And of course, a heartfelt thank‑you goes to Michael Adcock, who served as our MC and kept the program running seamlessly. Many know him as our dynamic auctioneer, whose talents have helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for Penn-Mar over the years.
As I reflect, I’m filled with gratitude and pride. This event succeeds because of the people behind it: the sponsors, volunteers, donors, staff, and guests who believe in what Penn-Mar stands for. And, true to form, as the last guests departed, our team was already dreaming, planning, and imagining how to make next year even better.
Thank you to every sponsor, volunteer, donor, staff member, and guest who helped make this year’s Gala a celebration of courage and community. I can’t wait to see what we’ll create together next!