A soiree to raise funds for a nonprofit dedicated to supporting children with medical conditions and their families will kick off at 5 p.m. Aug. 24 at Circuit of the Americas.

What's happening

Abbey Lights Up COTA is the Abigail E. Keller Foundation's largest fundraiser of the year and will offer attendees activities including:
  • Cocktail hour
  • Dinner
  • Champagne and bourbon walls
  • Live and silent auctions
  • Raffles
  • Dancing
Live music will also be provided by Austin-based band Suede, and the event will be emceed by Chet Garner, executive producer of "The Daytripper."

Interested attendees can buy tickets online, and those unable to attend can make donations online year-round.
Attendees can enjoy a cocktail hour and catered dinner during the evening. (Courtesy Raul Buitrago)
Attendees can enjoy a cocktail hour and catered dinner during the evening. (Courtesy Raul Buitrago)
Some context

According to the website, the foundation is named after Abigail Elizabeth Keller, an area child who experienced numerous medical challenges throughout her life before passing away at age 11.


Abigail Keller's parents, Travis and Melissa Keller, began raising money to help other families in similar situations by providing support through community outreach programs, including:
  • Family care packages for children and families entering the Dell At-Home Hospice Program
  • Birthday boxes for children in hospice
  • Direct financial grants to families needing assistance with medications, housing, food, utilities, and special equipment not covered by insurance
In addition to direct financial support, the foundation is working toward building the first pediatric respite and hospice facility in Central Texas. In a news release, Melissa Keller said the facility will be called Abbey's House.
Circuit of the Americas will light up pink in honor of Abigail E. Keller on Aug. 24. (Courtesy Raul Buitrago)
Circuit of the Americas will light up pink in honor of Abigail E. Keller on Aug. 24. (Courtesy Raul Buitrago)
Notable quote

“When we started the foundation five years ago, our long-term directive was always to provide a pediatric respite and hospice facility where families would feel safe leaving their medically fragile children while they attended to the needs of their other children, emergencies, or just sleep,” Vice President Travis Keller said in the news release. “Abbey’s House [will] be a peaceful, tranquil place where families can take their children to spend their last days in a private, comfortable setting outside the home or hospital.”