It’s been 20 years now since No Limits, which empowers deaf and hard of hearing children, was founded in a one-bedroom apartment by Michelle Christie, whose passion and revolutionary techniques have allowed thousands of people to speak, inspire others and achieve their dreams.
She recognized the lack of opportunities for deaf children to improve their speaking abilities in a fun and safe setting and designed a theater program to assist them in improving their communications skills and cultivating creativity.
The organization celebrated its two decades Saturday night with a gala reception and dinner presentation at a private estate overlooking the Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles, co-chaired by Adi Greenberg and Jamara Ghalayini.
Several hundred supporters of No Limits mingled with youngsters who have benefited from the program, which has produced more than 100 theater productions and reached over 150,000 people nationally.
“It was such an emotional night as we shared 20 years of empowering children. The No Limits journey has been filled with such incredibly kind and generous people and it was wonderful to have many of them at the Gala this year to celebrate this incredible milestone,” said Christie.
The evening got underway with passed appetizers from Badmaash restaurant and sushi made to order by chefs from Sugarfish. Music was provided by the Richard Glaser Jazz Band.
Leeza Gibbons hosted the ceremonies, which saw the Spirit of Leadership Award presented to Joshua Wagner and Spirit of Giving Award being given to Jay, Lance, Sean and Beth Jackson.
Fritz Coleman, another loyal supporter of No Limits and KNBC’s longtime weathercaster and a standup comic, conducted a live auction of donated items to benefit the organization, including trips to Paris, Costa Rica, Hawaii, Africa and Cabo San Lucas. The event raised a total of $335,000 from the live auction, sponsorships and proceeds from a silent auction.
No Limits spokeswoman Kathy Buckley, known as America’s first hearing-impaired comedian, also entertained the crowd of 300, including a large number of families who have been assisted by No Limits. She is credited with raising more than $1 million for the organization over the past 20 years.
No Limits is gearing up for what is certain to be a memorable event in December at Carnegie Hall, when alumni will share their powerful and emotional life stories about growing up with hearing loss in “Silent No More.”
