The 8th annual Celebrating the Gift Gala was held at the Charlestown Conference Center on Saturday, November 10, 2012 in Catonsville. Honorees of this year’s Gala were: Msgr. James M. Barker, Rev. Patrick M. Carrion, Msgr. Paul G. Cook, and Msgr. Joseph L. Luca. The memory of Brother James M. Kelly, C.F.X. was also honored.
Guests entered the hall to music by the Mount St. Joseph High School Jazz Band and were treated to a wonderful array of hors d’oeuvres. A dessert buffet included 400 cupcakes donated by a member of St. Louis parish (Clarksville) along with other sweets.
The raffle ticket drawing for a 7-night Bermuda cruise on the Grandeur of the Sea was held at the evening’s festivities. Highlights of the live auction included an autographed Brooks Robinson print by Norman Rockwell along with box seat tickets to three Ravens games and a mini I Pad – this year’s hot Christmas item! Tables for the silent auction overflowed with dining gift certificates, jewelry, symphony orchestra tickets, wine tasting tours, and a wedding gift basket. The sale of “Believe” slap bracelets was held to raise money for a wheelchair tilting device, and the sound of the bracelet being “slapped” in place was heard all evening.
Master of Ceremonies, Jamie Costello, kept the evening entertaining and lively. Jonathan Melnick, Auctioneer, encouraged the audience to keep bidding!
Over $86,000 was raised at the 2012 Celebrating the Gift Gala with the money to be used for the Winter Fuel Fund. The money allows the Little Sisters of the Poor to continue to provide a warm, loving, home-like environment for the Residents at St. Martin’s Home. Plans are underway for the 2013 Gala! If you are interested in volunteering in any capacity for the next Gala, please call the Development Office at 410-744-9367.
Celebrating the Gift Gala