Gala Rakes In $125,000
Publish Date: April 12, 2019
海角直播 Foundation鈥檚 Garden Party Gala on March 28 brought in $125,000 thanks to the generous support of those who turned out for the affair.
Proceeds during the non-formal event will support the Roadrunner community year-round through student scholarships and on-campus improvement projects, said event organizers.
鈥淲e had a great time with some really amazing people who believe in 海角直播,鈥� said Michelle Riggs, the foundation鈥檚 development director. 鈥淚鈥檓 so grateful for the generous group of attendees.鈥�
The gala is the nonprofit鈥檚 signature fundraiser and is held each year to not only raise much-needed dollars for the foundation but awareness of the group鈥檚 endeavors.
Appetizers by Bon Appet铆t Management Company greeted guests as they arrived at the event held in 海角直播 Hall which was decked out in floral d茅cor, from live plants and trees to designs on the gala鈥檚 official program.
Guests were welcome to give right off the bat by backing several initiatives, from the purchase of textbooks and program materials, to funding student meals for a week. No donation was too small.
Inside the venue, guests were treated to a catered dinner and a jam-packed program which featured remarks from Kevin Horan - 海角直播鈥檚 new president 鈥� Riggs, and David Avila, the college鈥檚 Outstanding Alumni of the Year.
鈥淚鈥檓 never about trying to get this type of stuff. I鈥檓 very spiritual and God put me in this direction,鈥� a humbled Avila said when it was his turn to speak before turning the focus back to the purpose of the gala. 鈥淚鈥檓 very proud of this (award) but at the same time we are all here doing what we should be doing 鈥� giving back to each other.
鈥淲e are here because we want to help our students get ahead, be productive and at the end of the day come back鈥� to support 海角直播, he continued.
Additional event highlights included a check presentation by San Manuel Band of Mission Indians for $100,000 in support of the iSeek program which covers expenses associated with paid job opportunities for 海角直播 students, and a silent and live auction. The live auction brought in thousands by itself with guests scooping up a trip to Princeville on Kauai, Hawaii for $3,000 and a backyard putting green for $2,000.
Before the program ended, gala organizers took time to reflect on the life of Betty Jo Wood, one of the foundation鈥檚 fiercest advocates. Wood died in January following a short battle with pancreatic cancer, and although she was not at the gala physically, her 鈥渇eisty spirit was there with us,鈥� Riggs said.
鈥淏etty Jo was always the first to offer her opinion, fill the (gala) planning meetings with laughter and spend three full days setting up, hosting and cleaning up each year. Betty Jo was the greatest volunteer and she just loved helping out at the gala,鈥� Riggs continued. 鈥淚 am so fortunate to have had Betty Jo鈥檚 sweetheart Harvey along with her daughter, Wendy, here to help with this year鈥檚 event. The slideshow and song tribute to her during the gala was a perfect way to say 鈥榯hank you鈥� for her many years of service with the foundation.鈥�
Photos of the event can be found in the Roadrunner Scrapbook.
