APRIL 2018 10 | NEXT DOORS CONTINUED Of course we were humbled and honored by the opportunity. We thought it would be a perfect fit for Frontdoors — after all, so much of what we do centers around the charities in our community and the work they fund through events. And after drawing up all the necessary paperwork, we had an agreement. So, here we are. We have a purpose — a gift Mike left us in his passing — to help first-generation college students find their voice, and to help fight the dreadful disease that robbed us of his presence. We have a memorial fund — which was the recipient of thousands of dollars in generous contributions from dozens of Mike’s friends, family and colleagues. And now we have an event, one that can help us raise money for the cause on a consistent basis well into the future. Put it all together, and here’s what you have: Proceeds from the Society of Chairs Gala will benefit the new foundation we’re setting up to include the contributions to Mike’s memorial fund and to serve as the philanthropic 501(c)3 for Frontdoors Media. It will be called The Sauce Foundation, and it will fund pancreatic cancer research as well as scholarships in Mike’s honor for students at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. And yes, Fernanda is part of it — she’s one of the three board members for the foundation, along with Andrea and I. But not only that, she’ll see the scholarship students grow and be able to personally help them become exceptional writers, just like both she and Mike. Fernanda is now on the faculty at Cronkite, where she will get to teach the recipients of the scholarships provided in her late husband’s memory. One of the best pieces of advice I received during my grieving over Mike’s death was to try to find ways to carry on his memory and impact. We’ve already dedicated this publication and all it does to Mike in perpetuity. Now, we can take it a step further, by both fighting the terrible disease that took his life and creating an entire generation of Mike Sauciers — kind, thoughtful storytellers with a love of community, friends and family. Mike may be gone, but through The Sauce Foundation and with the support of our community, we have an opportunity to ensure his impact in the future will be extraordinary. And we’ll get to celebrate that impact and his memory at the Society of Chairs Gala, this year and every year moving forward. We hope to see you on May 16. It’s going to be great. @tevans927 Tom Evans CONTRIBUTING EDITOR The Sauce Foundation was created in memory of Frontdoors' late editor, Mike Saucier, shown here.

APRIL 2018 | 11 Society of Chairs Gala Wednesday, May 16, 2018 | 5:30 pm The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa Recognizing those who chaired charitable events this past year, the organizations they serve and the partners that make philanthropy in the Valley possible. Deborah Bateman, Chairwoman Linda Herold, Honorary Chairwoman Enjoy dinner, drinks, dancing and entertainment Proceeds to benefit The Sauce Foundation The new charitable arm of Frontdoors Media, dedicated to fighting pancreatic cancer and creating the storytellers of tomorrow. Presented by Produced by