VIP2

The beautiful Vaquero Club served as the backdrop for the Gala VIP Party on Tuesday.

Lynda and Robert Warner welcomed more than 150 guests to the GRACE Gala VIP Party Tuesday at the beautiful newly-renovated Vaquero Club. The elegant event honored donors and volunteers who make the Gala possible.

With the GRACE Gala scheduled for Saturday, October 6, last Tuesday was a chance to thank the many sponsors, volunteers, committee members and others who bring the Gala to life, and express our gratitude for raising much-needed funds for client services and programs.

The GRACE Gala is the single-largest fundraising event for GRACE during the year, and funds raised support all GRACE mission services including Emergency Assistance, Clothing and Food, Transitional Housing, Senior Services and the Community Clinic.

GRACE Chief Executive Officer Shonda Schaefer spoke on the importance of the Gala campaign season. Paul Bischler, GRACE Board President, voiced the appreciation of the Board for the hard work of the Gala Committee. Gala Chairs Lynda and Robert Warner expressed the gratitude of all the Gala committee volunteers for the many sponsors and donors who have been so generous throughout the year to GRACE.

Lynda and Robert welcomed Scott Simmons of Simmons Estate Homes who sponsored the VIP Party. Scott conveyed his admiration for GRACE and the support GRACE provides for those in need.

The much-anticipated announcement of the first-ever GRACE Poker Tournament was met with eleven people who bought player seats at the tournament for $1,000 each. The tournament, hosted by world-renown poker champions, will take place in mid-January at Classic Wine Storage.

Shonda then announced the Angel of GRACE Award winner for 2018. The Angel of GRACE is awarded each year to the person or organization who exemplifies GRACE’s mission of stewardship, compassion and guidance toward self-sufficiency. The 2018 Angel of GRACE will be announced publicly at the Gala on October 6.

Finally, Shonda led a round of applause for Ken Thompson and the Thompson Group at Classic Chevrolet for serving as the Title Sponsor of the GRACE Gala for the 11th year in a row.

As the conclusion of the event, Shonda drew for winners of four magnums of high-end champagne that were donated by Mark Nelson of Classic Wine Storage.

For more information about the GRACE Gala log on to www.GRACEGala.org.