CNN medical correspondent and author Dr. Sanjay Gupta and actress Jane Fonda, founder of the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Power & Potential, are partnering on a fundraiser benefiting the group. "We help teens find their inner strengths, their inner compass that will help them navigate better decision making," Fonda said in a statement. Gupta will be honored at this fall's EmPower Party, planned for Oct. 3 at the Georgia Aquarium and chaired by Alexandra Walter and Ashley Miller. GCAPP board member Ginny Brewer and 2012 EmPower Party co-chair Caroline Tucker are serving as patron committee co-chairs and have announced that the patron party preceding the main event will be held Sept. 12 at the home of Laura and Rutherford Seydel. Patron reservations begin at $1,500 per couple. Contact Laine Peeler at laine@gcapp.org or 404-475-6046 for more information.

Fernbank gala benefits children’s programs

More than 400 guests gathered on June 8 for Fernbank Museum's "Lost Oasis" gala, hosted by Fernbank's Artemis Guild of Young Professionals. The event, which raised more than $200,000 for children's education programs, honored Ryan Smith Dunlap and Sam Dunlap for their longtime support. "It was a night we will never forget," Ryan Dunlap said. "Our favorite part was celebrating Fernbank with new and old friends while raising funds that will help empower the lives of children through nature and science."

Gala to be a laughing matter

The 16th annual "Benefits of Laughter" gala benefiting Skyland Trail is planned for Oct. 23 at the St. Regis. The event, which will raise money for Skyland Trail's programs for people with mental illness, will feature entertainment by comedian Jake Johannsen. Event co-chairs are Kelly Loeffler and Betsy Akers, with Steve Sullivan and Jeffrey Sprecher serving as corporate co-chairs. Patron committee members include Mary Tanenblatt, Juanita Markwalter, June Tompkins, Mary Johnson, Nina Cheney, Ann Lally, Mary Brock, Stephanie Blank and Robin Howell. Corporate committee members include Danica Griffith, Tom Lape, Christine Ragland, Mark Tipton, John Lally, Scott Akers, David Love, Steve Hennessy and Eric Tanenblatt. Patron tickets are $1,500 per couple. See www.skylandtrail.org for details.