Our First Gala - An Evening of Hope
Our First "Evening of Hope" Gala
Our Income Staff for the Duluth Office of The American Cancer Society put together it's first "Gala" event, held on May 7th. Brenda had this put into her portfolio in July when she was hired. She jumped right in and started planning right away. It was a real challenge, as Duluth is not like the metro area. Attending Black tie formal galas is not something Duluthians do. Correction, I guess there are people in Duluth that are well heeled enough or social enough that do attend these events, we just have never felt that we knew too many of these people. We felt that a gala might be "risky". However, when push came to shove, we were willing to try it.
Brenda found the right committee, and they planned such a beautiful event that even those of us that aren't "well heeled" wanted to attend! We were "told" we needed to charge $75.00/ our instinct was to charge $50, but we went with the $75. We put up a web site, and put the word out. Sent "Save the Date" cards to those we thought would consider attending, two months before the invitations went out, and we begged some free advertising from one of the radio stations. The manager of The Radisson Hotel came on board early on, wanting to help with the mission of raising funds for Breast Cancer. The end result was the most beautiful event we could have even imagined. It was:
The theme was all PINK, for Breast Cancer. It was held at the Radisson, starting in the Great Hall with social hour of appetizers, cash bar, PINK Martini's and a great "The Cure is in the Bag" silent auction. We had 120 enjoy the evening. The dinner was held at the TOP of the HARBOR, with the transition from the Great Hall to the top, in a manner that was commented as a smooth transition by many. The Top of the Harbor Restaurant was decorated, candlelight, including dining music by Billy Barnard's group. Elegant dining, with a 4 course meal, including filet that melted in your mouth, and pink strawberry mouse for dessert. The fun continued on with "Keys for a Cure" a chance to win a beautiful watch worth $1495, and "Mystery Boxes", that was fun for everyone.
I have worked many events put on by our staff. When I realized that there was plenty of help, I decided I wanted to go to this as a guest, a paying attendee. I am so glad that I did, it was a wonderful evening, and so rewarding to see the work that they all did come to fruitation. I sat at a table with all women there without partners, and we had so much fun. I only knew two of them, but by the end of the evening I knew them all! And, by the way, I shopped at the auction and got two lovely felted purses, one was an original hand made by our own Duluthian Patti Salo-Downs. Great evening.
The event was a success, we heard many comments from people saying they will be back next year, and "we'll be the first to sign up". This was our first ANNUAL... and the committee already met this week, to start planning for next year's "Evening of Hope"....watch for it! It was financially successful, we netted for Breast Cancer Research, over $17,000!!! Hurray. Great job to Brenda and her committee. A special thank you to co/chair Bridgett Markwood!!! Also, to our 5 talented UMD interns who were instrumental in making the event a success. They worked hard for months, and were amazing!
***If you dine at the Top of the Harbor, please mention to them that you appreciate the support they gave to The American Cancer Society. Also, if you shop at Cashwise Liquors, they were also most generous. Thank them also. The food at the Top of the Harbor was wonderful. I told the manager that we often think of dining there when we have company in town, but that's the only time we think to...he said, yes, that's with most of the people here in town. SO...next time you want to have an elegant dining evening or a lunch, do remember about our asset here in Duluth that we have...the revolving restaurant and the top of the Radisson. What a view they have. The prices are not skyhigh either. Don't just save the experience for when you have company from out of town! ENJOY it yourself!!! Anytime!
Brenda found the right committee, and they planned such a beautiful event that even those of us that aren't "well heeled" wanted to attend! We were "told" we needed to charge $75.00/ our instinct was to charge $50, but we went with the $75. We put up a web site, and put the word out. Sent "Save the Date" cards to those we thought would consider attending, two months before the invitations went out, and we begged some free advertising from one of the radio stations. The manager of The Radisson Hotel came on board early on, wanting to help with the mission of raising funds for Breast Cancer. The end result was the most beautiful event we could have even imagined. It was:
"An Evening of Hope" - The mission was raising funds for Breast Cancer
The theme was all PINK, for Breast Cancer. It was held at the Radisson, starting in the Great Hall with social hour of appetizers, cash bar, PINK Martini's and a great "The Cure is in the Bag" silent auction. We had 120 enjoy the evening. The dinner was held at the TOP of the HARBOR, with the transition from the Great Hall to the top, in a manner that was commented as a smooth transition by many. The Top of the Harbor Restaurant was decorated, candlelight, including dining music by Billy Barnard's group. Elegant dining, with a 4 course meal, including filet that melted in your mouth, and pink strawberry mouse for dessert. The fun continued on with "Keys for a Cure" a chance to win a beautiful watch worth $1495, and "Mystery Boxes", that was fun for everyone.
I have worked many events put on by our staff. When I realized that there was plenty of help, I decided I wanted to go to this as a guest, a paying attendee. I am so glad that I did, it was a wonderful evening, and so rewarding to see the work that they all did come to fruitation. I sat at a table with all women there without partners, and we had so much fun. I only knew two of them, but by the end of the evening I knew them all! And, by the way, I shopped at the auction and got two lovely felted purses, one was an original hand made by our own Duluthian Patti Salo-Downs. Great evening.
The event was a success, we heard many comments from people saying they will be back next year, and "we'll be the first to sign up". This was our first ANNUAL... and the committee already met this week, to start planning for next year's "Evening of Hope"....watch for it! It was financially successful, we netted for Breast Cancer Research, over $17,000!!! Hurray. Great job to Brenda and her committee. A special thank you to co/chair Bridgett Markwood!!! Also, to our 5 talented UMD interns who were instrumental in making the event a success. They worked hard for months, and were amazing!
***If you dine at the Top of the Harbor, please mention to them that you appreciate the support they gave to The American Cancer Society. Also, if you shop at Cashwise Liquors, they were also most generous. Thank them also. The food at the Top of the Harbor was wonderful. I told the manager that we often think of dining there when we have company in town, but that's the only time we think to...he said, yes, that's with most of the people here in town. SO...next time you want to have an elegant dining evening or a lunch, do remember about our asset here in Duluth that we have...the revolving restaurant and the top of the Radisson. What a view they have. The prices are not skyhigh either. Don't just save the experience for when you have company from out of town! ENJOY it yourself!!! Anytime!
posted by Linda at 8:30 PM
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