Annual Spring Gala A Success!

The Waverly Area Veterans Post was full of 150 stylishly dressed flight attendants, pilots, and vacation-goers during Self-Help’s travel-themed spring gala on Friday, April 27. As guests entered the room, they were greeted with the sounds of Nicaraguan national music and reggae beats before embarking on their journey to get their “passport” photos at the photo booth station and enjoying delicious hors d’oeuvres creations by Moment in Thyme. Inspired by the flavors of the two countries were we serve, Andrea Geary of Milkbox Bakery added international flare to the evening by incorporating Nicaraguan coffee and Ghanaian cocoa into the delicious desserts she created.

The crowd was taken on a virtual journey as Jim Tobin, William and Jane Edwards, and Jacqueline Steinkamp shared photos and stories about their recent visits to Ghana and Nicaragua to meet the community members whose lives have been improved by Self-Help’s programs. Guests did some “duty free shopping” purchasing crafts made by Ghanaian and Nicaraguan artisans, and emcee Gary Kroeger served as the auctioneer for a lively and entertaining auction. At the end of the evening, the winner of the Win a Trip to Nicaragua was drawn.  Congratulations to the trip winner, Janean Skovgard!

Because of generous support from our local community, we raised over $30,000 to support our work to alleviate hunger by helping people help themselves. The funds raised will ensure that farmers who are increasing their yields thanks to our training and technical assistance can access grain storage bins to prevent post-harvest loss, offer women’s health education and academic support to teen girls in Ghana to help them stay in school and avoid teenage pregnancy, and bring clean water to six more rural villages in Nicaragua!

We are truly thankful to all who came from near and far to be part of this evening, and to our business partners and community volunteers, especially Jo Bagelmann, Donna Dravis, Rosemary and Adam Hagensick, and Jeff  Cornforth, for helping make the evening such a success! We couldn’t achieve our mission without you.

Click here to view more photos from the evening