Fathers, daughters share day at gala

Lisa Pendlebury and her father, Rob Kelly, enjoyed an evening of music, food, dancing and making lifelong memories at the 12th annual Father Daughter Gala at the Legends Club in Augusta on Sunday.

Spotted Photos: Father Daughter Gala

"It is valuable in a way that I don't think I could verbally explain," said Pendlebury, who has attended the charity event with her dad for the past six years. "It’s great to be able to get dressed up in a pretty princess dress and do my makeup and wear the fancy shoes with the little clutch purse and to hear my dad say, 'You look so beautiful.'"

The event is presented by the O'Neal Foundation, a nonprofit that strives to strengthen families and build a stronger community. This year, proceeds benefit the nonprofits New Bethlehem Community Center and Augusta Partnership for Children Inc.

"We're not just here having a good time," said Pendlebury, who came with her husband and two daughters. "The event is really helping people, but I also get to go on a date with just my daddy and feel like I'm the only girl in the room."

Gala committee chairman Robert O'Neal started the event after he attended a father-daughter dance with his daughter when she was growing up.

"I didn't want to go, but she encouraged me to go, and after that, I was overwhelmed with what I had seen and experienced," he said. "It was a special time that we enjoyed together. I want other dads to feel what I felt."

The event is a way for fathers to teach their daughters life lessons in a family-friendly environment.

"We want to make dads aware of the importance of being there for their daughter as they grow and to counsel them and direct them on how a lady should be treated," O'Neal said. "My guarantee is that once a father comes and enjoys the experience, he'll say, 'This is the best Father’s Day I've ever had.'"

Fathers can be hesitant to participant, but by the end of the night, they are grateful that they showed up, O'Neal said. Some fathers use the gala as a way to reconnect with their daughters, he said.

"The ones that come see how it has changed their relationship with their daughter," he said. "Lives have been changed with that special little time they've spent together. That's what's rewarding to me."

Over the years, the event has evolved to include mothers and sons. The event also featured the Community Impact Award honoree. This year's recipient was Richmond County Juvenile Court Judge Amanda Heath for her work with children inside and outside of the courtroom.