SSP Prepares for 2nd Annual Fundraising Gala
May 7, 2024
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We've been working hard at Senior Services Plus to prepare for our upcoming 2024 gala, "A Night in Hollywood." This will be SSP's second annual gala that will take place on Saturday, June 8, 2024 at the Lewis and Clark Community College Commons. The gala is a semi-formal event celebrating SSP's continued service to the community, successes of the past year, and the efforts of community and corporate collaborators in serving older adults. This year, we look forward to witnessing our community come together to celebrate 51 years of service at SSP.
What Can You Expect at the Gala?
The gala will be a large celebration of serving the older adults of the Southern Illinois region. Expect a delightful evening as we commemorate honorees, celebrate philanthropy, and enjoy the company of fellow community members. A ticket to our gala includes dinner provided by Chef Bob's Catering and a cash bar with cocktail hour. Thanks to our sponsors AARP Illinois, First MidAmerica Credit Union, and Daniel & Henry Co., the first 50 beers and wines will be free of charge. Additionally, the first 25 Red Carpet Martinis will also be complementary.
There will also be lively entertainment, as Heartland Dueling Pianos will be giving a performance of music from the 1950's to today. You will also get the opportunity to witness our esteemed honorees being awarded for their service to our community and to our mission. Our 2024 honorees include:
- SEEL & Humana (Corporate Partner Honorees)
- AgeSmart Community Resources & Quackcom IT (Community Partner Honorees)
- Alton Fire Department & Alton Police Department (Community Hero Honorees)
Our silent auction will also be available to all attendees. The auction includes a variety of date night baskets and domestic and international trips!
We will also be sharing stories from some of the clients we serve. You'll get to hear directly from Meals on Wheels clients and get a glimpse of how SSP's services have impacted their lives. Last year, we interviewed client Eddie Holmes about his experience with our Meals on Wheels Program. You can view his testimony here:
Additionally, we'll be offering an attendance prize drawing for a 
Dometic Patrol 55 High Performance Cooler. Tickets will be given upon arrival to guests as they check in. Drawing for a cooler will be done at 8:00pm along with announcement of silent auction winners before entertainment wraps up for the evening. The winner does not have to be present to claim the cooler. SSP will coordinate prize drop off if the winner is not present.
Your Attendance Makes a Difference
SSP's gala is not just a night of celebrations, but it also serves as a fundraiser for our organization. All proceeds from ticket sales, silent auction, sponsorships, and any other donations received during our gala benefit our 14 programs and services we offer that promote healthy, independent lifestyles to individuals as they age. Donation efforts play a vital role in our ability to continually serve over 30,000 older adults in our community. In the past year, we have seen many successes through our mission programs. For example, in 2023, SSP:
- Served a total of 279,684 Meals on Wheels to Madison and St. Clair counties
- Provided 2,970 transportation trips to clients
- Served 9,503 congregate meals in Madison County
- Spent 722 hours with Community Resources clients
It is thanks to our community's contributions that we can continue providing these essential services. Sydney Peckham, Development Event Coordinator at SSP, recognizes the importance of support for the organization and for the gala.
"It's wonderful to celebrate our wok with members of our community who are contributing to SSP's mission," says Sydney, "I'm excited to witness growth of this event over the years and see it become a cornerstone of our organization."
In the second year of planning our fundraising gala, we have received increased support from our community. "With 8 new sponsors, we are excited to continue to grow this event," says Emily Jackson, Development Director at SSP. "This is a great opportunity to recognize key collaborators that help make what we do possible. We want to honor organizations and people who continually give back to older adults in the region."
Tickets for SSP's 2nd Annual Fundraising Gala can be purchased here. Attendees are encouraged to dress to the theme of 50's Old Hollywood, so channel your inner Audrey Hepburn of Frank Sinatra! Individual tickets are $75 each, or you can purchase a table of 8 for $600.
If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Sydney Peckham at speckham@seniorservicesplus.org or at 618-465-3298 ext. 116.
