|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Despite adversity, some traditions survive because they have an enduring effect on their communities.
Such is the case with Pleasanton North Rotary’s A Starry Night Charity Gala. The tradition was placed on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic, but now, it is back with all the glitter, pizzazz and generosity that have always been the fundraiser’s hallmarks.
“Our unofficial motto is ‘We Do Fun. We Do Loud. We Do Awesome’, but we never lose sight of our commitment to community service,” noted PNR President Billy Buckley. “We hope like-minded area residents from outside our club join us for this special evening.”
The formal dinner, dance and charity auction will return March 11 to the newly refurbished ballroom at The Club at Castlewood.
Funds collected that evening will add to the more than $2.2 million the gala has raised since 1987 for the nonprofit PNR Foundation. The money will be returned to the community as grants to local nonprofit organizations and youth programs.
The PNR Foundation aims to assist people at every stage of life, especially those with special needs, at-risk and abused children, victims of domestic violence and human trafficking, food insecure families, the unhoused, and active military and veterans.
The foundation also supports Rotary International’s longstanding worldwide commitment to eradicate polio, provide safe drinking water, promote social justice and economic development, as well as PNR’s own commitment to assist the Wheelchair Foundation of Danville distribute wheelchairs in developing countries.
In recent years, PNR Foundation grants have been awarded to Agape Villages, Assistance League of Amador Valley, Ballistic United Soccer Club, CityServe of the Tri-Valley, Culinary Angels, Goodness Village, Hively, Kids Against Hunger, Open Heart Kitchen, Pleasanton Military Families, Seek and Save, Shepherd’s Gate, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Sunflower Hill, The Grateful Garment Project, Tri-Valley REACH, Tri-Valley Haven, and the Valley Humane Society.
The PNR Foundation also supports local youth programs, such as the Pleasanton Foothill High School Interact Club, Foothill High School Student of the Month Awards, Rotary Youth Leadership Academy (RYLA), Rotary International Youth Exchange, the annual Richard D. King Youth Speech Contest, and college scholarships.
“We try to cast a wide net of support here locally and abroad,” said Kirsten Bureman, ASN planning committee chair. “Plus, we’re planning a fun evening with great people enjoying dinner, dancing and opportunities to win raffles, play games, and bid on wonderful auction items.”
How to join the party
Guests can register and purchase their admission tickets for $150 per person at www.pnr-rotaryfoundation.org/astarrynight. Donations are tax-deductible.
Formal attire is required. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. A cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres and no-host bar will follow. For the seated dinner, guests may choose among steak, salmon and vegetarian entrees. Complementary wine will be served. Dinner will conclude with options from a sweets table and dessert auction.
Gina Piper at Elation Real Estate is this year’s top “Diamond” level sponsor, and ENT Networks, Inc. distinguished itself at the “Gold” level sponsor. Additional sponsorship levels are still available.
CBS-affiliate KPIX-TV news anchor Juliette Goodrich will serve as celebrity master of ceremonies. Charitable giving opportunities will include silent and live auctions with auctioneer Frank Jakubka, “Heads or Tails” and raffles. The evening will conclude with DJ Ranel Laroco playing music especially for dancing.
Editor’s note: Jim Brice is a writer, photographer, Pleasanton resident and member of Pleasanton North Rotary.
