Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro Habitat for Humanity has been celebrating building hope and homes in the community with a winter gala for five years. This year marks the first time that they have had to move their event to another date due to the weather.
“We are very grateful to the help and support from the Stonewall Jackson event staff,” said Rhonda Howdyshell, Executive Director. “They really are consummate professionals is supporting us in this decision and we couldn’t do it without them.”
Originally scheduled for this weekend (January 23), the event will now be held next Saturday (January 30). One can only imagine the details of notifying, and resetting a sold-out event of this scale with close to 300 people participating – hotel and Habitat staff, volunteers, patrons, and the entertainment traveling from the Charlottesville area. The event successfully brings community leaders; benefactors, sponsors and philanthropists together to raise awareness of the need for workforce homeownership and investment in our community. Last year’s Habitat Hope for Homes Gala was featured in Virginia’s Living Magazine’s summer issue as one of the premier social events about town and raised over $100,000 to help build homes.
Actually three events in one, the evening begins with a cocktail reception with live jazz music, an open bar, hors d’oeuvres, formal portraits sittings by Linda Wilson Photography (with complimentary Gala portrait memento). There is a silent auction offering area services, evenings out, original art, and get-a-ways, and some fun philanthropy games planned.
The reception is followed by a formal dinner seating inside the Shenandoah Ballroom that features a plated gourmet meal and a short live auction and program. The evening concludes with several hours of music and dancing with the Salute to Swing orchestra and a performance by Savannah Lane, our own Miss Virginia 2015 who placed top 15 at the Miss America Pageant. The live auction includes contractor services, a diamond necklace, custom made quilt, and the opportunity for a weeks’ rental to a tranquil escape for the entire family (for a week) to a custom built 7 bedroom, three-level mansion with elevator, in Top Sail, North Carolina.
This year’s Gala Chairs are Linda and Burk Hershey of Waynesboro and Andrea and Kenneth Oakes of Staunton. They are joined in their endeavors by Habitat Advisor Chairs Tom Montgomery and Brigadier General William Alexander, Anne Alexander, Tracy and Judy Aitchison; Dr. Sandra Curry, Allen Dahl, Pack and Rebecca Fancher, Charlie and Jackie Frankfort, Fred and Barbara Grunder, Jennie Hill, Minnie Stevenson, Frank and Nancy Summers, Paul and Martha Vames, Kimberly Watters, and Lynn White.
Honorary Chairs for the event include benefit sponsors: The Carter Ellis Family; Mr. Seth Liskey of Edward R. Jones, Inc.; and Mr. Leonard Pittman of Union Bank and Trust. Gold sponsors include Dr. Richard Bolstein and Sharon Adams, and Wells Fargo. Silver sponsors include Ad Construction Company, The Alexander’s, Body Essence LLC, Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory, Edwards Forestry Services, Farmers & Merchants Bank, First Bank, First Bank and Trust, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Frankfort, McKee Food Corporation, Old Colony Construction, Williams Brothers Tree & Lawn Service, and Monica Wilson Photography.
IF YOU GO
What: SAW Habitat Home for Homes Gala
When: 5:30 – 11 p.m. Saturday, January 30th 23TH
Where: Stonewall Jackson Hotel, 24 S. Market Street, Staunton
Cost: $100 per person. Please contact Barbi Moon-Theado (ex. 104) at SAW Habitat for Humanity (540) 886-1944 to see if any reservations for seating remain (seating at the door is NOT available). www.habitatsaw.org The website has a full listing of auction items for your review.
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