Child Advocates of Fort Bend’s 2021 Gala Committee is busy with final preparations for the agency’s 30th Birthday Gala Celebration on May 8, 2021 at the Sugar Land Marriott Town Square. “The Gala committee has put together another lively and elegant evening for guests this year,” stated Development Director Lisa Moore. “Thirty years of making a difference for children is something to celebrate and we are. When we open the doors on Saturday evening, guests will be engulfed in a sea of color and will feel the party vibe. Pa’Zazz, featuring Evelyn Rubio will play live music throughout the evening and dancers from Cookie Joe’s Dancin’ School will delight guests with a live performance. After the past year Fort Bend County is ready to come out and support our agency and we are ready to welcome them. Michele Fisher will be the evening’s emcee and Johnny Bravo will join her as auctioneer.”
Support of this event which helps to fund the agency’s services has never been more critical. “The number of children and families needing our services continues to increase,” stated Child Advocates of Fort Bend CEO Ruthanne Mefford. “Last year, Child Advocates of Fort Bend served 22% more children and families in 2020 than in 2019 which continues the upward trend we have been experiencing every year. So far this year, we’ve already seen a 42% increase in demand for services, compared to this time last year,” added Mefford.
As a nonprofit organization, Child Advocates of Fort Bend relies on donations and community support to maintain its services to children. With last year’s cancellation of in-person fundraising events, the agency was hit hard. “This year’s Gala marks our first in-person fundraiser in over a year. The community has been supporting us for 30 years and we are so excited that almost 500 people will be joining us this year. We cannot do the work we do without the community and we are thrilled that so many people are planning to attend,” said Moore.
“We are balancing a party atmosphere with safety considerations and will be following CDC guidelines with safety protocols in place. We will have tables for 8 instead of 10 and we’re adding extra space in our silent auction and throughout the ballroom to help with social distancing. Guests will be required to wear masks except when eating and drinking,” continued Moore.
For those who are unable to attend in person, we are offering online bidding for the silent auction and a ghost bidder for bidding on live auction items. You can purchase raffle tickets online as well. To participate in the online auction or purchase a raffle ticket, go to https://CAFB30.givesmart.com. Register to bid by Texting CAFB30 to 76278. For information go to www.cafb.org or contact Tarina Sheridan at TSheridan@cafb.org or 281-344-5109.