Cupid’s arrow has been drawn as a Key West tradition continues. Wesley House Family Services will present its 32nd Valentine’s Gala on Saturday, February 14th, 6:30 to 9:30 pm, on and surrounding the elegant grounds of the historic Curry Mansion Inn, 511 Caroline Street. An annual favorite, the Gala raises money for multiple Wesley House programs that provide crucial support to child welfare and family preservation throughout the Florida Keys. 100% of proceeds from the 2015 event will provide financial assistance for foster families in areas that statutory funding does not provide for. “Thanks to the generosity of owner Edith Amsterdam, the Valentine’s Gala at Curry Mansion Inn is a night for people to gather while raising money and hope for the foster children of Monroe County,” noted Jeremy Wilkerson, the Agency’s Director of Community Affairs. “Throughout the past year, the Agency helped more than 2,600 children and families in Monroe County,” he noted. Hosted by founding sponsors Mrs. Amsterdam, Prudential Knight & Gardner Realty and Sloppy Joe’s Bar and Mercantile, the event is also supported by community contributions in the form of plateaued sponsorships: Gold, Bronze, Diamond, Silver and Ruby. Those who generously helped underwrite the evening (at press time) are: Gold: Charley Toppino & Sons, Inc., John M. & Karen Lockwood, Monroe Concrete Products and Old Town Dental Group PA Bronze: Jay & Amber Shaffer, Harborside Motel & Marina, Inc., Jo Pine, Al & Julie Waters, Keys Energy, Richard B. Klein, Southernmost Insurance Agency Inc., Trepanier & Associates, Inc., Truman & Company, Bender & Associates, Waste Management, Keys Federal Credit Union and Diane & Wayne Miller. Diamond: Meisel Holdings LLC Silver: Centennial Bank, Strunk Ace Hardware Inc. and Southernmost Hotel Collection Ruby: Hemingway Home & Museum, Michael & Yleana Dennis, Ricky’s Blue Heaven Restaurant, Green World Gallery, Niles Sales & Service and Niles, Willis & Moore CPAs On the Gala night, love is of course in the air…as well as the fragrance of top-notch dining and the sound of romantic elixirs being poured. General Admission tickets ($50 in advance, $55 at the door) include open bars by Sloppy Joe’s and Rick’s/Durty Harry’s and complete dinner buffet; $125 VIP admission includes open premium bars, passed hors d’ oeuvres, a full dinner buffet and premier table seating close to the performance area. Did we say performance? With the feast comes entertainment – nationally acclaimed Trop-Rock entertainer Howard Livingston as Master of Ceremonies and the band Honey Mouth, featuring Bubba Low Notes and Raven Cooper & Friends. As important are Gala silent auction items, which has often been the largest and certainly the most anticipated on the island, featuring local artists and artisans, lodging, dining and spa certificates and tickets to local recreation and tourist attractions’ and other one-of-a-kind items donated by supporters of Wesley House. “The generosity in the past sets the benchmark for us going forward,” said Sharon Toppino, who serves on the Wesley House Board and is overseeing this year’s Gala for the Fundraising arm. “Donations always emphasize fun…but functionality is important, too. The phrase ‘the more the merrier’ certainly applies here, because the more items we amass, the more our children and families benefit.” Because the Gala consistently sells out, advance ordering through KeysTix is strongly urged; VIP tickets are available exclusively and only via this outlet. General seating reservations can be purchased at Wesley House offices, 1304 Truman or at Prudential Knight & Gardner Realty, 336 Duval. “We are constantly amazed at the astounding heart the Keys community has,” says Beth Barrett, CEO of Wesley House. “For an evening like that celebrates love, we just as much feel the passion attendees have for bettering the lives of disadvantaged and at-risk children and families.” For more information, those interested can also access wesleyhouse.org. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * A nationally-accredited Agency (a 501 (c) (3), not-for-profit organization), Wesley House’s mission is to promote and enhance the safety, well-being and development of children by educating, supporting, and meeting the needs of Monroe County families. The motto: Helping our community one family at a time.
Posted on: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 19:45:30 +0000
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