Signature Winter Soirée

Every guest was personally welcomed by the Brigances and offered a photo op with them.

Several ALS patients and their caregivers mingled among the guests, enjoying the evening’s festivities.

The party kicked off with a cocktail hour where Brigance Brigade supporters had a chance to mingle with old friends as well as current and former Baltimore area sports celebrities. Sloane Brown photos

A celebratory atmosphere — like that of a birthday party — filled Martin’s West ballroom for the Brigance Brigade Foundation’s Signature Winter Soirée. The shindig had its genesis on the birthday of former Baltimore Ravens player O.J. Brigance, who co-founded the foundation with his wife, Chanda Brigance, after he was diagnosed with ALS in 2007.

“We used to do this party every year in September for O.J.’s birthday as a fundraiser for the foundation. But instead of just celebrating his birthday, we decided we wanted to celebrate everyone in the ALS community,” Chanda Brigance explained.

Some 240 folks turned out for the event, where they could socialize with local sports celebrities, media personalities and ALS patients and their caregivers. And every guest had the opportunity to chat with O.J. Brigance, who used a speech-generating computer.

All the funds raised go directly to people living with ALS and their families.