Following last year’s sold-out event, we are honored to announce that Trudy Busch Valentine will deliver the keynote address at this year’s Gratitude Giddyup Gala on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at the iconic Casa Loma Ballroom. A St. Louis native, Busch Valentine is the daughter of August Anheuser “Gussie” Busch Jr., who led Anheuser-Busch's rise as a global company, and she grew up at the historic Grant's Farm. Today, she and her family continue that legacy on their Missouri ranch, raising bison, cattle, and horses; fitting for the spirit of the Giddyup! Busch Valentine’s civic involvement and philanthropic work unites three passions in her life: children, nursing, and education. In recognition of her leadership and dedication, Saint Louis University named its School of Nursing in her honor in 2019. In 2020, Busch Valentine experienced the devastating loss of her son, Matt, to an opioid overdose after 499 days of sobriety. This devastating loss after 499 days of sobriety, motivated her to run for the United States Senate. Trudy believes strongly in ending the shame and stigma of addiction and mental health. We are grateful for her support for Gratitude House’s unique educational model as the foundation for our elevated approach to aftercare. She understands that recovery is not simply about abstinence, but about learning, developing the emotional and cognitive skills that make long-term sobriety possible. We are deeply grateful for her willingness to share her story with our community. We hope you will join us for this powerful evening by purchasing a ticket or becoming a sponsor. Contact us at 314-229-2847 or gratitude@gratitudehousestl.org for more information.