The Champions for Hope celebration, a special event to honor top Dempsey Challenge fundraisers, will take place at the new event center, scheduled to open in May in the former St. Patrick’s Church of Lewiston.

The Dempsey Challenge has announced that its annual Champions for Hope celebration, a moving and special part of the annual Dempsey Challenge weekend, will take place for the first time this year in the all-new Agora Grand Event Center, scheduled to open in May in the former St. Patrick’s Church on Bates Street in Lewiston.

“We are excited to bring the Champions for Hope celebration to the Agora Grand Event Center,” said Aimee Labbe, Dempsey Center Manager of Special Events and Development. “It’s a unique venue that exemplifies the revitalization and rebirth of the L-A community and we’re eager to be a part of that.”

At 220 feet to the tip of its tallest spire, the former church turned events center is Maine’s tallest building. It has been completely renovated to include 6,000 square feet of gathering space, a state-of-the-art sound system and many other amenities. For more information, see www.agoragrand.com.

“We are thrilled to work with the Dempsey Challenge and to be selected for this important event,” said Andrew Knight, Agora Grand Event Center owner. “The Champions for Hope celebration is an integral part of the Dempsey Challenge fundraiser and we’re proud to be part of such a worthy cause.”

The Champions for Hope celebration is an exclusive event to honor top fundraisers for the Dempsey Challenge and to celebrate the work of the Dempsey Center. Dempsey Challenge fundraisers who raise $3,000 or more receive two tickets to this private event with Patrick Dempsey and other special guests.

The 2016 Dempsey Challenge will take place October 1 and 2. To register, see www.dempseychallenge.org.