Mentelity Foundation

Living with a disability is no small feat. That’s exactly why you need to focus on possibilities rather than limitations. Driven by this belief, Paralympic snowboarder Bibian Mentel launched the Mentelity Foundation five years ago, because everyone should be able to participate in sports. But without financial support, this goal isn’t achievable. To give more kids a chance to play sports, the foundation organized its annual gala this time at DeFabrique to raise funds. A sea of flowing gala gowns and tuxedos with perfectly tied bow ties walked down the red carpet into the Copraloods. The aromas wafting from the open kitchen set the tone for a successful evening. And despite the four-course dinner, the fantastic auction items, the swinging sounds of Tommie Christiaan and his band, and the enchanting performance by opera singer Francis, it was above all the personal nature of the gala that made for an impressive evening.

Personal character

Between courses of truffle roulades and other dishes, success stories took center stage. Stories that gave everyone goosebumps. Paralympic snowboarder Merijn Koek opened the dinner and demonstrated that you can still achieve success in sports despite missing two arms and one leg. In addition, the One-Armed Drummer, Alex Wegman, showed that, even with just one arm, he is bursting with musical talent and can pursue his dream as a drummer.

Of course, the guests also got to step into Bibian’s shoes for a moment. She shared her intense journey to Korea and emphasized how important the organization is for elite athletes. Just when you thought you couldn’t get any more goosebumps, the children from Bibian’s snowboard class took the stage to present her with flowers. It was truly touching.

A nail-biting auction

The more donations we receive, the more children and young adults with physical disabilities will be able to participate in sports. During the gala, every effort was made to raise as much money as possible. Ticket proceeds were donated, gold balloons symbolized the proceeds, and the auction featured everything from paintings to workshops and overnight stays. Bibian was surprised with additional checks from the audience. With a final total of 192,500 euros, the Mentelity Foundation once again has ample opportunity to train young talents. The evening ended with a dancing afterparty.

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Edwin Spee

Chairman of the Mentelity Foundation

"Our fifth gala dinner at DeFabrique in Utrecht—a venue that might seem unusual at first glance—was a huge success. The contrast between the industrial factory grounds and the enchanting atmosphere of the venue worked perfectly. The high-quality food and the friendly, professional service also contributed to the event’s success. We’ll be choosing DeFabrique again next year!"

The location
made for an unforgettable experience.

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Client

Mentelity Foundation

Theme

Public event

About the client

The Mentelity Foundation is an initiative founded by three-time Paralympic champion Bibian Mentel, and its goal is to encourage children and young adults with physical disabilities to participate in sports, with a focus on extreme board sports.

Carlien Winter

Event Producer DeFabrique

"It was great to be involved in the benefit gala. What an inspiring organization with a fantastic figurehead. You could really feel the positivity and strength at the gala. The personal stories were truly moving. All the guests spoke fondly of Bibian Mentel and the foundation. It was an honor to help make this event a reality!"