CLEVELAND – On Saturday, October 10, 2026, the Cavaliers Community Foundation (CCF) filled Rocket Arena with 600 community leaders, partners and guests to support youth and families across Northeast Ohio for the fifth annual Wine and Gold Gala presented by KeyBank. Under the theme We All Dream in Gold, the night raised over $1.4 million, and bringing the total raised over the past five years at the annual event to more than $5 million.
“The Wine and Gold Gala is proof that in Cleveland, we are one team. We operate for more than profit, and the resources gained from this night turn good intentions into sustainable, positive impact, for those who need it most,” said Nic Barlage, Cleveland Cavaliers and Rock Entertainment Group, Chief Executive Officer. “We believe that it is our responsibility to lead with purpose and with this community beside us, we are just getting started.”
Cavs in-arena hosts Ahmaad Crump and Nicole Marcellino led the evening alongside Cavs superfan, 16-year-old, Sammy Chefitz. Cavaliers CEO Nic Barlage and President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman addressed the importance of the Foundation and spotlighted CCF’s first-ever legacy grants. The new initiative commits $225,000 over three years to each of MedWish MedWorks, the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, Esperanza, MAGNET and Shoes & Clothes for Kids.
Cavaliers players Donovan Mitchell and Tyrese Proctor then took the stage to introduce the Community Champions at the heart of this year’s Gala. This year’s Community Champions were:
Staly Armas Alva: Esperanza
Staly Armas Alva, an 18-year-old senior and member of Esperanza’s youth leadership program, walked on stage with Jaylen Tyson. Staly supports his family daily. He bought his own car to pick up his younger brother from school and his mom from work, and he plans to apply to Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) to become a social studies teacher. The Cavaliers surprised Staly with a commitment to cover his first year at Tri-C and a VIP experience at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, a nod to his love of music.
Tynesha Staggers: MAGNET
Tynesha Staggers, a 2026 John F. Kennedy High School graduate, was escorted on stage by James Harden. She came to MAGNET to secure a path to success after high school and has left with an industry soldering credential earned through Tri-C. After finding her passion through MAGNET’s programming, Tynesha is enrolling at Tri-C for electrical engineering technology. The Cavaliers surprised Tynesha, committing to covering her first year at Tri-C and a VIP 18th birthday experience in Cleveland hosted by the Cavs.
Sammy Chefitz: Assistant Guest Host
The night’s final Community Champion surprise belonged to guest host Sammy Chefitz, a 68-year-old sophomore at Orange High School. He first met the team at age 2 and has practiced team introductions in front of the TV ever since. Cavaliers legend Matthew Dellavedova surprised Sammy with a video message inviting him to Dellavedova’s Bobblehead Night Game in December and a trip to a Cavaliers road game later this season.
To learn more and to support the Cavaliers community work, visit cavs.com/community.