This fall, service, innovation, and legacy come together under one historic dome in Salt Lake City.
Step inside the majestic Utah Capitol Rotunda on gala night and celebrate the enduring spirit of Colonel Gail S. Halvorsen—the beloved “Candy Bomber.” On this special evening, the Candy Bomber Foundation’s Hope Flies High Annual Gala brings together changemakers, dreamers, and doers to honor a mission that’s still soaring: to inspire hope through acts of service.
The 2025 theme, “Launching a Future of Service and Innovation,” sets the stage for a future built on creativity, humanitarian leadership, and global impact. From youth STEM and aviation programs to emergency response training and a new Education Center, every dollar raised propels the Foundation’s vision forward.
Join a movement rooted in kindness, powered by innovation, and designed to lift the next generation. Attend the Hope Flies High Gala and help launch a brighter, more compassionate future—one inspired by a legacy that still flies high.
Hope Flies High Annual Gala: Launching a Future of Service and Innovation
Join us at the Utah Capitol Rotunda in your best dress for The Candy Bomber Foundation’s Hope Flies High Annual Gala, an inspiring evening dedicated to the legacy of Colonel Gail S. Halvorsen and his lifelong mission to bring hope through service.This year’s theme, “Launching a Future of Service and Innovation,” celebrates the power of innovation and creativity to shape a better world. Just as Gail did through his simple yet powerful acts of kindness during the Berlin Airlift, the world can unite through humanitarian initiatives, service before self, and inspiring all generations to create meaningly impact around the globe.
The funds raised at this event will fuel The Candy Bomber Foundation’s mission, supporting program operations, equipment and supplies, and funds for the new Candy Bomber Education Center—a global hub for innovation and training in humanitarian work, service learning camps for youth, aviation training, STEM and aerospace education, and emergency response simulations. The center will serve as an international hub, inspiring future generations to embrace service, leadership, and innovation in their communities.