The second annual New Year’s Eve Gala brought in 2016 with a live auction, music from Boomtown, dancing and an upscale dinner at the All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Cultural Centre, in support of the St. Paul & District Arts Foundation.
“I’m a big fan of the arts,” said Coral Bonner, board member with St. Paul & District Arts Foundation, adding she thought it was important to have a night focused on benefiting the arts community. “It’s nice to kind of rise it up and make people aware of it.”
Attendance this year saw a drop from last year’s inaugural event, from about 160 people to 100 people, a drop which Bonner attributed to other events happening in town, including weddings, parties, and the New Year’s benefit dance. However, she felt that those who came were treated to a great night of entertainment.
Part of the entertainment included a live auction, with one of the biggest items a long driver donated by world long drive champion Jamie Sadlowski, who also threw in a few extra clubs and a round of nine-hole golf with him. That set ended up going for $1,000. Other live auction items included artwork by George Pipe, Joan Hebert, Shirley Kinneberg, and R.B. Designs, an ice auger and a handcrafted bench.
“We’ve had a lot of generous people,” said Bonner, who estimated that proceeds from the event would be about $4,000. She also gave credit to Angel Forry of Angel’s Party Rentals for donating supplies and for helping Bonner and co-organizer Val Pratch “pull it all together” for the night.
While organizers are aware the New Year’s benefit dance takes place on the same night, she said they felt that the foundation’s gala event offered a different venue and vibe, with adults only allowed.
“I feel we have enough people in our community to be generous to both,” she said, which was borne out by the fundraising success of the night.
