Big Night Out 2024 Homepage

Big Night Out gathers community members at the intersection of reentry, philanthropy, and advanced manufacturing who are passionate about expanding the circle of compassion in San Diego County.

This is Rise Up Industries' most important fundraiser of the year. Join us for our 7th annual event. Click here to reserve your tables and tickets today!

- EVENT DETAILS -

Saturday, September 7, 2024

Cocktail Reception | 5:30pm

Dinner Program | 7:00pm

Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine

3777 La Jolla Village Dr, San Diego, CA 92122

Attire

Business/Business Cocktail

Questions?

Contact Nicole at 619-457-0790

- KEYNOTE SPEAKERS -

Rolf Benirschke

Former Placekicker for the San Diego Chargers

Rolf Benirschke’s third season as a placekicker in the NFL was cut short when he collapsed on a team flight while battling Crohn’s Disease. He underwent two emergency surgeries six days apart and his life hung in the balance for the six weeks he remained in the intensive care unit. After surviving, he made a remarkable comeback to play seven more seasons with the San Diego Chargers, becoming the first player ever to wear an ostomy bag in the NFL. He would earn numerous honors including being named the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, NFL Comeback Player of the Year, play in the Pro Bowl and be inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame.

His illness changed him and gave his life a new direction that he pursued after his NFL career ended. His passion is helping ostomy patients find hope and lead a joyful and purpose filled life through his new 501c3 nonprofit, Embracing Ostomy Life. He remains very involved with the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation and numerous other local charities, raising millions of dollars of support through his Legacy Foundation while continuing to speak with patients who struggle with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. He is a respected leader and speaker in the health care industry and works tirelessly as a patient advocate.

Rolf sits on several boards including the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, is the author of three books, including his autobiography, Alive & Kicking as well as Saving Wildlife, a book about his father’s impact on the San Diego Zoo and conservation. He is married and the father of four children, including three with special needs. After walking through a difficult season with one of their sons, Rolf’s wife, Mary, was burdened with those facing homelessness and started a program called Be a Friend in San Diego. Rise Up Industries is a Be A Friend program partner. Rolf especially enjoys supporting and encouraging Mary in her efforts to alleviate homelessness through the power of friendship.

Joe Tapia

2019 Reentry Program Graduate

I am the third of seven siblings. My parents were migrant farm workers, so we moved around a lot. My first memory as a little boy was my father shooting at my uncle and hiding the weapon underneath the vehicle. My father was an alcoholic, and he physically abused everyone – my mom, my siblings, and me. It seemed like the smallest thing would trigger his anger. I lived the first ten years of my childhood walking on eggshells.

I had a lot of anger growing up. It led me down a long road of disruptive behavior – in school and on the streets. It all started with my home life, and it ultimately landed me in prison. I truly thought I was going to die inside. A life sentence is another way of saying you’re on death row by attrition, and prison was even more violent back then.

While inside, I transformed my life through the vehicle of literature. I read up to 14 hours of day. Sometimes I had a quota of 50 pages a day, including an hour in encyclopedias and periodicals. I wanted to better understand my life and the world. I was incarcerated for over 32 years. It was September 12, 2017, that I realized I might not die inside. My boss called me to his office. I was told that I’d parole to San Diego and had 36 hours to get ready. I felt shocked. I couldn’t wait for the opportunity to experience the free world again and make an honest living.

It’s been five years since I graduated from Rise Up Industries. I live in San Diego with my spouse Maria. She along with her family have been very supportive of my transition back into the free world. In our free time, we enjoy hiking and spending time with her family.

You can find more of Joe’s story in the book Writing After Life: Stories from Those Who Served a Life Sentence.