Gatsby-themed gala promises evening of hope, remembrance, and community

By EDEN STAPLES

Tiger Media Network

Mason’s Mourning Light, a local non-profit that supports families struggling with infertility or child loss from conception through infancy, is hosting its inaugural Gatsby Gala Night on November 13, from 6–11 p.m. at The Strand Event Center. 

Tickets are on sale here, with individual, couples, and reserved tables available. 

The foundation’s first annual gala is designed as an evening of hope, remembrance, and community for families facing infertility, pregnancy loss, or infant loss. Guests are encouraged to dress in 1920s-inspired attire and enjoy a social, cocktail-style night. This adult-only event will feature live music, dancing, appetizers, drinks, a photo booth, silent auction, best-dressed contest, and Gatsby-inspired fun. 

Mason’s Mourning Light was created after the Taylor family experienced the loss of their son in 2021 and realized how lonely the grieving process is for people struggling with infertility, pregnancy loss, or infant loss. 

“Losing a child is very lonely; you feel like you’re the only one even though you know that’s not true,” Mason’s Mourning Light founder Kayla Taylor said.  

The organization helps families feel less alone by sending personalized gift packages. These packages include special items with the baby’s name on them to help families feel remembered and supported. Money raised by Mason’s Mourning Light also helps them put resources toward hospitals where families may not have access to as much support. 

“All our funds are really used to purchase items for them, with a custom item with the baby’s name on it. If they are not local, we ship it, “ said Mason’s Mourning Light Board member Darian Schlegel. “One of our main goals is to get more involved with the hospitals around this area, because a lot of people who are in the surrounding areas don’t have a lot of network or opportunities for resources for when this happens” 

Community is an important part of Mason’s Mourning Light because it helps the families feel less alone while grieving. Taylor and Schlegel hope to connect with families who have experienced similar situations so they can share, listen, and support each other. Through these community connections, they’re reminded that they don’t have to carry the weight of their grief alone. 

“Community is a great way to continue healing or just gain support. I feel like Mason’s Mourning Light is one of the ways we can try to connect people with the community that will help in moments like this,” Schlegel said. “Something we want the families to know too is that if they are seeking support or just want to talk to somebody with similar experiences, they can reach out to Mason’s Mourning Light, or we can connect you with another family.” 

The upcoming gala will include live music from the Hays Jazz Band, dancing tips from Michelle’s School of Dance, a silent auction, a best-dressed competition, a photo booth and so much more. 

People attending can participate in a memorial wall honoring children who may have been lost. Families with loss can send ultrasound photos, photographs, names, or any other meaningful items. Even though this event offers plenty of fun, remembrance remains its main purpose. Taylor and Schlegel want guests to know that experiencing grief doesn’t mean you can’t experience happiness. 

“You can be sad and really happy at the same time,” Schlegel said. “It doesn’t mean your child’s life was any less important.” 

Taylor also notes that grief can hit at any time. 

“I wish people would recognize that grief is lifelong,” she said. “It can hit you at odd times throughout your whole life.” 

Taylor and Schlegel hope that people attending enjoy the gala and leave with a better understanding of infertility, pregnancy loss, and infant loss. They want people to take time to look at the memorial wall to remember the children being recognized and support the grieving families. More than anything, they hope to create connections and remind families struggling that they are not alone. 

Whether guests come to enjoy the music, dancing, or other activities, the goal is to bring the community together and help carry the weight of grief while still having a fun-filled night.

Mason’s Mourning Light Gatsby Gala Night is from 6-11 p.m. on November 13 at the Strand Event Center. Ticket purchases and more information are available online.