Big Night Gala: Have a Heart for Children

The Rotary Club of Davis continues its efforts to support Yolo County Child Abuse Prevention programs by holding their annual Big Night Gala – Have a Heart for Children. Over the past 19 years, the annual Big Night Gala has raised over $940,000 to support these programs. The good news is that this event has made a difference, yet the tragic fact is that still, on average, more than five children are being abused every single day in Yolo County. These disturbing numbers underscore the need and the work of Rotary to continue to help prevent child abuse before it ever happens.

The 24^th Annual ‘Big Night Gala’ fundraiser is trying to do just that. The funds raised at this year’s event will support the Yolo Crisis Nursery, the Yolo County Children’s Alliance, and Cameron’s Place: Yolo County Children’s Advocacy Center (formerly, the Multi-Disciplinary Interview Center) for the Yolo County District Attorney’s office. These non-profit organizations are at the forefront of this battle and are working hard every day to save these children.

This year’s event will be held at El Macero Country Club, 44571 Clubhouse Dr. from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 22^nd. It will begin with a reception and silent auction then move onto a three course plated dinner and live auction, after which guests are invited to contribute to a special fund-a-need project. The dress code is cocktail/business formal. We would like to thank our sponsors who are generously donating to this great cause.

The committee continues to work hard to make this a festive, heartfelt and memorable evening. The program will start during dinner by Rotary Club President Tim Ainsworth, our MC for the evening.  He will speak to the event’s purpose and acknowledge the three recipient organizations, followed by the celebrated broadcast journalist Sam Shane, who will serve as the auctioneer for the live auction and our fund-a-need project, Make It Happen (MIH) for Yolo County.

We would like to invite the public to purchase tickets at $175 per person for the Gala. Tickets will be available on a ‘first come, first serve’ basis until we sell out. You can also still become a sponsor or donate to the auctions.  Your support is very much appreciated.  Contact Sharon Shoemaker at spshoe@mac.com or 530-848-6733 for further information.