36th Annual
Governor James T. Blair
Award Dinner
NOTICE 8-28-2023: A limited number of seats remain available for purchase, but they are going fast! If you don't have your seats reserved yet, purchase them TODAY here.
Don't miss the premier event of the Cole County Democratic Party's year, the annual James T. Blair award dinner and fundraiser. Enjoy delicious food and the company of good friends as we hear from keynote speaker Russ Carnahan, chairman of the Missouri Democratic Party and former U.S. Congressman, on how we’re strengthening the Democratic Party in Missouri for success in the future. Join us as we honor local Democrats Ralph and Barbara Kalberloh for their lifetime contributions. Enjoy the opportunity to meet and talk to candidates for state, local, and national offices in the 2024 elections.
WHERE
Magnolia Room, DoubleTree by Hilton
422 Monroe St
Jefferson City, MO
WHEN
Friday
September 8, 2023
TIME
5:30 - Cash bar
6:30 - Dinner
7:30 - Awards presentation and keynote address
Keynote Speaker
We are pleased to welcome Russ Carnahan, Chair of the Missouri Democratic Party, as our speaker for the evening. Russ is a former Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives (2005-2013), representing Missouri’s 3rd Congressional District, comprised at that time of urban and rural areas near St. Louis. While in Congress, Russ served in several important leadership roles. He most recently served as a prominent early outside adviser for the 2020 Biden campaign. Carnahan was first elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 2000.
Assuming the Chairmanship in March 2023, Carnahan declared that his goal for the Missouri Democratic Party is to "build our bottom-up organizing and networking, to deliver the Democratic message from local candidates and leaders in every district."
Honorees
Ralph and Barbara Kalberloh are lifelong Democrats and long-time residents of Jefferson City. The Cole County Democratic Central Committee is pleased to recognize their many contributions to our community with the presentation of this year’s James T. Blair Award.
Before he retired, Ralph was the Executive Vice President for the Missouri Automobile Dealers Association (MADA) for 34 years. MADA, through its lobbyist, Gene Worn, was effective in advocating for legislation affecting auto and truck dealerships and consumers. One of Ralph’s proudest achievements was enactment of state legislation reducing sales tax on trade ins.
Always active in the community, Ralph has served as President of the Jefferson City Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club of Jefferson City (1971-72), and the Jefferson City Jaycees (1960). He was a member of the Board of Trustees for Memorial Hospital. As a Democrat, Ralph ran unsuccessfully for Mayor of Jefferson City in 1971.
Ralph is a veteran of World War II. He was part of a B-17 bomber crew over Germany when his plane was shot out of the sky. He spent months in a German prison camp before he was rescued by General George Patton.
Barbara is a member of the Realtors’ Million Dollar Club. She has served on several State of Missouri Real Estate Committees, including the Education Committee, Real Estate Land Institute Committee, Missouri Commercial Real Estate Committee, and Convention Committee. Barb has also served as Secretary of the Jefferson City Board of Realtors. She was a member of the Jefferson City Chamber of Commerce and has served on several of that organization’s committees.
Barb is well known for hosting tea party fundraisers for worthy causes like the Cole County Historical Society, United Way Power of the Purse Fundraiser, American Cancer Society, Alzheimer’s Association, and to assist individuals with medical bills.
Barb and Ralph are parents of three children, and they have six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren between them. They are loyal Democrats, participating each year in the Blair Dinner, and contributing to candidates who they believe will grow our community and enrich the lives of all who live here.
Show your Support with a Program Ad or Signature
You or your organization can purchase congratulatory advertisements in the evening's program book to honor Ralph and Barbara Kalberloh, express your support for the Cole County Democratic Party and local Democratic candidates, and/or advertise your business. Full-page, half-page, and quarter-page ads are available, in black & white and color, priced as shown in the table below. Page size is 5-1/2" wide X 8-1/2" high.
In addition, individuals and couples may include their names in a large "signature ad" congratulating the Kalberlohs and thanking them for their many contributions to the community for only $25.
Your advertising copy must be submitted for publication by the deadline shown at the bottom of this page.
Purchase Tickets
Dinner tickets and advertisements in the evening's program are priced as follows. All purchases can be made securely on-line at https://secure.actblue.com/donate/blair2023.
Note: If you prefer to pay for your tickets and purchases by check, you can download a hardcopy Registration Form here which you can print, complete the required information, and mail to reach the Committee by August 25, 2023.
|
Individual Dinner Ticket |
$75 |
|
Full Table (8 seats) - Invite your family, friends, or a group to sit together. Purchaser must identify guests to facilitate entry and seating. |
$550 |
|
Color full-page ad on program's Inside Front Cover, Inside Back Cover, or Outside Back Cover (Only 3 available) |
$250 |
|
Black and white full-page ad inside the program |
$175 |
|
Black and white half-page ad inside the program |
$100 |
|
Black and white quarter-page ad inside the program |
$75 |
|
Include your name(s) on a congratulatory signature page honoring the Kalberlohs. |
$25 |
|
Can't attend, or just feeling generous? You can make a donation of any amount to support the Cole County Democratic Central Committee. |
$?? |
Deadline to purchase tickets and program advertisements: August 25, 2023
In order to make final banquet arrangements, we request that you make all dinner ticket purchases by August 25th if possible. If you are uncertain of your plans and cannot commit by that date, please contact Susan Vaughn at 573-636-6946 or susanvaughn@centurylink.net to discuss.
If you purchase an ad, we must have your final ad copy by August 25th in order to assemble and print the program. Please email your ad copy in electronic format to susanvaughn@centurylink.net, or call Susan at 573-636-6946 to arrange to deliver your copy in printed format.
Countdown to ticket deadline...
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