The bodhi spa, a $5,000 sponsor of this year’s gala, is a hydrotherapy day spa with three locations: Newport, Rhode Island; Providence, Rhode Island; and Norwood, Massachusetts. Founder Harmony Oschefski and co-owner Cedar Hwang, also fabulous sisters, have created a signature "Water Journey" that combines hot and cold therapies with saunas, steam rooms, and cold plunge pools inspired by ancient Roman bath houses. The spa also provides traditional services, such as massages, facials, and body treatments to promote holistic well-being. We are grateful that the bodhi spa, Harmony, and Cedar have embraced Universal Promise as sponsors and as hands-on supporters behind-the-scenes. As members of our 2025 Gala Team UP, they have shared insights that have uplifted our planning, made connections to secure auction items, and been committed to spreading the word about our efforts in South Africa. Please visit the bodhi spa to see for yourself and to offer thanks for embracing Ubuntu, a sub-Saharan mantra that means “I am because of you.”

Gil’s Appliances, a $1,000 sponsor of this year’s gala, is a family-owned business that offers high-quality appliances at affordable prices. From the sale and delivery to installation and service, the company meets and exceeds its customers’ needs by treating everyone like family and assisting every step of the way. The Gil’s Appliances tagline of Trust, Integrity, Value is a fitting one. They have been steadfast in their support of Universal Promise over the years and are particularly invested in funding education to uplift others in a sustainable and dignified manner. We are grateful to Gail, Lisa, and their entire team for marrying their words and their deeds. Please visit Gil’s Appliances in their Bristol and Middletown locations.

The Robin’s Egg, a $1,000 sponsor of this year’s gala, is a unique specialty children’s boutique offering both new and consignment clothing and high-quality wood toys made around the world that are sure to spark the imagination of your children. The shop, which is located at 1016 East Main Road, Portsmouth, Rhode Island, is no stranger to Universal Promise. Over the past several years, The Robin’s Egg owners, Robin and David Lee, have been unwavering in their support of the education and upliftment of children, no matter where those children live. In other words, The Robin’s Egg, David, and Robin are devoted to enhancing children’s lives both locally and internationally, and Universal Promise and the South Africans with whom we work are grateful to be the recipients of their goodwill. Please visit The Robin’s Egg to shop and to offer thanks for its manifestation of Ubuntu, as well.

All Sales Are Vinyl, a $1,000 sponsor of this year’s gala, was created after founders Cindy and Brian Neprash volunteered with UP in South Africa and observed the absence of clean water in local schools. Cindy and Brian decided to do something about that crisis; so, they started creating and selling one-of-a-kind, oversized flowers and wall-hangings made from recycled vinyl records and donating a substantial portion of their profits to fund green clean-water systems. Those systems collect, filter, purify, and disperse rainwater for drinking, cooking, hygiene, plumbing, and more.

Since 2014, hundreds of empathetic donors have purchased 3,000 flowers and brought clean water to roughly 10,000 children, ensuring that others enjoy what many take for granted. Here’s to the power of partnership and clean water for all! Please visit All Sales Are Vinyl on Facebook and allsalesarevinyl212 on Instagram to learn more and embrace the mantra they embody. Alone we go fast. Together we go far.