As we get closer to Christmas, the annual Trees and Lights Gala to be held at the Nugget Casino Resort will delight and amaze those who love embracing the holiday spirit. To benefit Safe Embrace, the charity gala will feature a gallery of decorated Christmas trees, wreaths, and silent/live auctions with gift baskets that can be delivered straight to your home.
Annie Grogan will be playing the harp for the first half of the event followed by the Great Gatsby Jazz Band as guests are treated to a 3-course meal of salad, steak, prawns, and a dessert trio. The Trees and Lights Gala is always held at this time of the year so that people buying trees and wreaths have them in time for Thanksgiving.
Beautiful holiday-themed displays will be auctioned off and attendees of this black-tie event may also enjoy live music, dancing, and a catered dinner. Last year, the first Trees and Lights Gala was held at Whitney Peak Hotel in Reno but organizers decided to move it over to the Nugget because it offers a much larger space to host the intricately decorated Christmas trees.
“The Nugget has been remodeling their resort and has offered to give Safe Embrace many perks to holding it at the Ballroom because they believe so strongly in our mission,” says Safe Embrace Executive Assistant Jackie McKinney.
More than 300 guests attended the 2016 Trees and Lights Gala event and Safe Embrace had 15-17 trees and 5-7 wreaths donated. For the 2017 Trees and Lights Gala, the nonprofit expects a higher attendance rate and has already received confirmation of more than 30 trees to be auctioned off at the gala.
Safe Embrace has a goal to raise $50,000 through the event and is more than halfway to reaching its goal in ticket sales and sponsorships. This is the charity’s biggest fundraising event of the year and allows them to raise money for projects that federal and foundation grants do not support. Its main goal for the upcoming year is to raise money to expand its shelter.
“The gala was my conceptual give to Safe Embrace,” says Safe Embrace Chairman Jed Spendlove. “Our first year we had 17 trees donated and this year we currently have 32 (expecting 40). There are many creative themes from elegant trees to Nightmare Before Christmas types of trees. Last year’s winning design was a Ken and Barbie Home for the Holidays tree, donated by the Broker of Re Max Professionals.
The creative ideas that folks come up with are amazing. The time and effort that companies and individuals put into creating a tree that will bring much-needed funding to Safe Embrace is my favorite part. Fundraising for domestic violence and sexual adult is not a sexy or easy cause to get behind, let alone to build awareness about. Trees, wreaths and giving nature of the season helps open the dialog for most people and it has proven to be a great event and I recommend anyone wanting to start the holidays off in an energetic uplifting way to attend the Gala,” he adds.
For more information about attending the 2017 Trees and Lights Gala or to reserve a ticket or table, visit https://treesandlightsgala.com. Safe Embrace is also adding a morning event for families who may not be able to attend the gala along with giving kids the opportunity to take pictures with Santa. Admission is free for kids for the morning event to be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and costs $5 for adults.
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