The best part about writing my articles, stories, reviews, etc., is the time I get to spend, in person, hopefully, with longtime friends and often new acquaintances. When Ellen McCullough, my dear friend and neighbor, invited me again to her home to interview her about this year’s Soroptimist of SLT Hooray for Hollywood Wine, Beer & Food Gala, of course I said yes, please!
She always pours killer wines and has tasty food for me as we chat about the enormous undertaking it is to put on this highly anticipated event. Oh, and being surrounded by so many beautiful donations that will go into the 100+ gift baskets for the Silent Auction and Raffle really adds to my energy for my story.
Golden Nugget Lake Tahoe Casino & Hotel is once again stepping up to support this major fundraiser. Their philanthropic nature will be seen and highlighted throughout the event. Ellen showed me her laptop with emails from the folks she is working with there. Immediate follow-ups from Autumn, Chandler, and Cameron. She could not speak more highly of the professionalism that the Golden Nugget staff has been showing over many months of this planning. Golden Nugget will be serving their yummy signature clam chowder at the Gala.
For the Silent Auction, they have generously donated a one-night stay and a two-night stay, each including a $200 dining credit!
Now for some more notable mentions…fellow Soroptimists Roberta Benvenuto, Deb Howard, and Ellen Camacho, along with Ellen, and many others, have procured wonderful donations of trips, golf, baseball, wine, art, and so much more. The generosity coming out of this town and neighboring communities is truly outstanding. Ellen told me this year’s donations are higher quality, which says a lot given the current economic situation. And then you have the special donations for the event entertainment, like Nashville Social Club donating a Quartet for live music. And 14 restaurants and 25 wine and other alcohol businesses donating their wares. Here are a few of the great Raffle Prizes: $500 cash, a paddleboard, and a wine fridge filled with 24 bottles of wine, each valued at $50 or more. Good stuff all around! You do not need to be present to win a Raffle Prize.
5 tickets for $20. Visit sislt.org to purchase Raffle Tickets even if you cannot attend.
Ellen’s goal: throw the BEST party to make the MOST money! Get this: last year’s event raised $78,000, and 100% goes back into our community. And in the 53 years of this annual event, $3.2 million has been raised for so many important programs and non-profit organizations that support those in need.
The Gala is a wonderful opportunity to dress up, mix and mingle with old friends and new, and eat and drink and DANCE to your heart’s content, knowing your indulgence is going to worthwhile causes. Dress up as your favorite Movie or TV Character, or just don some bling, glitz, and glam it up for a fun evening! There will be a Best Costume Contest with an amazing prize! Oh my goodness, it’s going to be an exciting evening, so get there early! Doors open at 5:30 pm.
Tickets and information: www.sislt.org/hooray-for-
Instagram: @sisouthlaketahoe
See donations and prizes!
Facebook HERE.
-By Michelle Gomez
