Great change often begins with one extraordinary life. Abbey’s courage and spirit became the heart of the Abigail E. Keller Foundation. This August, her legacy continues at the Foundation’s annual gala at the Circuit of The Americas, a place Abbey loved, for an evening devoted to families, hope, and healing.
On Saturday, August 16, from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, the Abbey Lights Up COTA Gala will transform the iconic racing venue’s media center into an evening filled with compassion, celebration, and momentum toward building Texas’s first dedicated pediatric respite and hospice facility, Abbey House. This year’s gala marks its seventh year as one of Austin’s most heartfelt fundraisers, honoring a little girl whose 11½-year journey was filled with more medical challenges than most could imagine, yet she faced them all with grace and a smile.
Attendees will be treated to a night of giving, hosted by Emmy Award-winning Chet Garner, the creator and star of The Daytripper, and a special performance by Grammy-winning country artist Rick Trevino. From the live and silent auctions to the champagne wall and an exclusive concert on Pit Lane, every moment of the gala is crafted to raise awareness and vital funding for families in need.
This year’s event is especially significant. With guidance from Husch Blackwell, the Abigail E. Keller Foundation has launched a Management Services Organization (MSO) that will accelerate the path to Abbey House. Once complete, Abbey House will be the first stand-alone, non-hospital pediatric respite and hospice facility in Texas, addressing a critical gap in care for more than 85,000 children in the state living with life-limiting illnesses.
Since 2019, the Foundation has provided over $400,000 in direct support to 165 families in Central Texas. Through financial grants, emotional care, and advocacy, AEKF stands beside families navigating the complexities of medical fragility, helping them feel seen, supported, and never alone.
One of the most anticipated moments of the evening will come when Oakley, this year’s Butterfly Grant recipient, shares her inspiring story and introduces the 2025 honoree. Her voice represents the spirit of the Foundation, full of resilience, hope, and heart.
From the roar of the racetrack to the quiet power of a shared mission, the evening will remind everyone in attendance why Abbey’s light still shines so brightly.
Join us as we celebrate Oakley, stand with local families, and help bring Abbey House one step closer to reality. Purchase tickets, become a sponsor, or learn more at AbigailEKellerFoundation.org.
Abbey Lights Up COTA Gala
August 16, 2025 | 5:00–10:00 PM
Circuit of The Americas
9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd, Austin, TX 78617
Enjoy a live and silent auction, music by Rick Trevino, and special moments with Butterfly Grant recipient, Oakley.
AbigailEKellerFoundation.org