IntroSpect Marketing
IntroSpect Marketing
Rotary Gala Supports Local Charities
IntroSpect Marketing recently had the opportunity to handle event planning and public relations for the Columbia Town Center Rotary Club’s Valentine’s Gala. We were honored to help them promote and deliver a successful event.Valentine’s Gala 2015
Where were you on Saturday evening, February 7th? If you weren’t at the Columbia Town Center Sheraton you definitely missed a fun time as the Columbia Town Center Rotary put on its annual Valentine’s Gala. The event, which was attended by 120 people, included a cocktail hour with classical guitarist, buffet dinner, dancing, and silent auction of over 60 items to raise money for local charities. The gala is the Columbia Town Center Rotary Club’s main fundraiser of the year.
“We started the gala four years ago,” remarks Sharon Waligora, chairperson for the event, “It was fun and successful then, and it gets even better every year.” This event enables the Columbia Town Center Rotary Club to support more than 20 charitable organizations in the community.
The Valentine’s Gala is a classy affair and an event for people of all ages. This year you could see singles and couples from their twenties through their eighties enjoying themselves and dancing to the sounds of Washington, DC’s popular NightLife band. Remarks Jeff Sines, a 25-year-old young professional who grew up in Columbia and attended the event for the first time with his girl friend, Melissa, “We had a lot of fun and we liked helping to give back to the community. We will definitely come back again next year.” Paul and Lynne Collman have been regulars at this event since it started. “We look forward to attending this fun gala each year, says Lynne.“ We love to dance and we usually come home with some great items from the silent auction. Occasionally we win a nice door prize too.”
For anyone who did not like to dance, there was ample opportunity to check out the silent auction, view the Rotary slideshow, or visit in the ballroom or outside on the terrace overlooking Lake Kittamaqundi. Many guests enjoyed chatting with Howard County executive, Allan Kittleman, and school board member, Ellen Flynn Giles.
Silent auction items vary from year to year, keeping the auction interesting. For the recent gala, the items creating the most excitement included a free membership to Haven on the Lake, a golf package from Timbers of Troy, and a free stay at the Wayside Inn. Comments John Slater, long-time member of the Columbia Town Center Rotary and coordinator of the silent auction, “Our Rotary club is very appreciative of the items and services that individuals and businesses from Columbia, and Howard County, donate to our auction. Without these donations this event could not be successful and our Rotary club could not provide the level of support that we do.” Platinum sponsors for the 2015 Valentine’s Gala were The Sawyer Group and The Neighborhoods at St Elizabeth.
Rotary is one of the few organizations that provides support on the international, national, and local levels,” says David Rodriguez, who will take over leadership of the club in July 2015. Rotary has helped to prevent the spread of major diseases, give communities the ability to develop and maintain sustainable water and sanitation systems, and support basic education and literacy. The money raised through the Valentine’s Gala will support local charities. Some of the organizations that this event directly supports are: Grassroots, Bridges to Housing Stability, Hope Works, Community Action Council of Howard County, Our House, Conexiones, and Athelas Institute.
The sentiment ever present throughout this lovely and entertaining evening was one of a humble “Thank You”. Says Roger Lerner, club president, “It takes a lot work and support to create this gala and make this fundraiser successful. Thank you to our guests for coming and participating in our silent auction. Thank you to our sponsors for their financial backing. Thank you to the individuals and businesses that graciously contributed to our silent auction. Thank you to the Sheraton Columbia Town Center Hotel for their support. You all have enabled our Rotary club to make a difference in the community.”
To learn more about the Columbia Town Center Rotary Club and the organizations it supports, please visit the club’s website: www.ctcrotary.org. They hope to see you next year at the Valentine’s Gala.
About Rotary
Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members of more than 34,000 Rotary clubs in 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work improves lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. For more information, visit www.rotary.orgArticle written by: LeAnn Young
