I never got jumper cables for an award.

Neither did my husband, Vinny.

But we were feted with these handy necessities along with roses and other gifts, as well as the goodwill of an amazing amount of friends, family, and supporters at The Rollstone Foundation’s 18th annual Save More Gala last week.

Let’s not get into the whys of how we got to be the honorees. We’re just two people who try our best to elevate the community in our own ways, something many of us do.

The Rollstone Foundation funds family adoptions of special-needs orphans, many in third-world nations, via grants. Youngsters may have cerebral palsy, Down syndrome or are HIV positive. (The cost of an international adoption is often $25,000.) Founded 18 years ago by Mike Dawidziak and Pam Greene, their special speaker this year was single parent Emily Brokaw, who traveled from Pennsylvania with her parents and 3-year-old Micah. Emily spoke of her five-year journey, first trying to adopt a child in China. She was rejected when that country closed off overseas adoptions.

Emily kept researching and found Micah from Bulgaria. He was the lucky one. But Emily and her family would say they got lucky. Micah high-fived many of us after Emily’s speech and danced joyfully to music later on.

The event at The Mansion at Timber Point, in Great River, pulled in 250 people who committed to this nonprofit.  There’s no overhead; the board goes through the grant applications and then select a family. Well over 600 children have been adopted since Rollstone’s founding. The name is derived from a Biblical story.

Beautifully uplifting doesn’t go near to describing the gala. Judges, government and school officials, Rotarians, company heads, volunteers, people without titles came out and supported this group. (So did raffle donors—you all rock!)

There are no paid board positions; board members donate office space for meetings. There is no equipment they pay for. Nearly 100 percent of the money raised goes towards adoptions.

We were absolutely overwhelmed by the goodwill that poured out for us and the Brokaws, but really, we have felt that in other Rollstone events we’ve attended for other honorees. No egos. Brief speeches. Catching up and getting together for hugs with friends. Meeting the families that adopt.

So, what about the jumper cables? They represent someone who doesn’t pass you by when stuck and gives you… a jump. It’s specifically named the Robert O. Ward Memorial Golden Jumper Cable Award.

We will never forget this honor. But more importantly, thank you again to Mike, Pam, and the Rollstone board and to everyone who funded the event. You helped celebrate the Brokaw family and will help change the lives of future children.

God bless. (For more information, pop up www.rollstonefoundation.us.)