HOME OF GUIDING HANDS 42ND ANNUAL GALA ON JUNE 11 AIMS TO RAISE $100,000

Proceeds to benefit local individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities

East County News Service

May 19, 2016 (El Cajon) -- Home of Guiding Hands (HGH), a nonprofit based in El Cajon committed to providing support to local individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities, will host its “Cabaret Rouge” Gala on Saturday, June 11, 2016 from 5:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at The US Grant Hotel in Downtown San Diego.

All proceeds from the event will directly benefit more than 1,500 infants, adolescents and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as current Home of Guiding Hands programs and services in San Diego and Imperial Counties: residential homes, community living, early childhood development, respite, life planning and more. Registration is currently open and tickets can be purchased via www.hghgala.org.     

Photo, right:  Chris Hinman and Mark Klaus at last year's HGH gala

“The gala is our largest fundraiser of the year to help raise critical funds for those we serve and this evening wouldn’t be possible without the ongoing support from our loyal sponsors, donors, board members and hardworking committee,” said Mark Klaus, president and CEO, Home of Guiding Hands. “The proceeds from this annual event not only allow us to continue the important work we do to help the individuals we support, but also provides an opportunity to raise awareness for a community that is often overlooked when it comes to charitable giving.”

This year’s gala, “Cabaret Rouge,” takes guests on a spectacular journey back to the Parisian nightclub and birthplace of the modern form of the can-can dance and cabarets. From live street artists, themed hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, to a three course dinner, silent auction and more, the event will provide all the elegant glamour of an evening in Paris. Live entertainment will be provided by The Mighty Untouchables and casino gambling tables will also add to the fun festivities.

Available auction items attendees will be able to bid on are:

• Calistoga Wine Country – Three to five night stay in a one-bedroom studio cottage with one bathroom, includes living room with full kitchen. Complete with Sterling Winery Tour and Aerial Tram
• Fire House Dinner for 8 – Firefighters will cook dinner for the winners, give a tour of the fire house and give bomb squad tactical demonstrations.
• Big Island Get Away – One week stay for up to 8 at Mauna Lani Resort on Hawaii’s Big Island
• Ladies Night Out – Overnight stay and dinner at the US Grant Hotel with champagne toast upon arrival, hair and make-up artists and pampering for the evening, mini photo session and cocktails at the exclusive University Club atop Symphony Towers.
• A Trip to Bucerias, Puerto Vallarta – Eight days with access to full staff, including personal chef, waiter, bartender and daily maid service.

A special evening program will highlight the service and contributions of Jim and Jean O’Grady, two longtime supporters of Home of Guiding Hands, who have dedicated nearly a decade to the organization. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet-and-greet with this philanthropic couple and learn more about how their support has enhanced the organization’s mission. Attendees will also have opportunities to meet with some of the individuals Home of Guiding Hands supports, including success stories from the following programs: early childhood development, community living, adult family home and residential services.

Photo, left:  Victorian ladies from last year's HGH gala

For nearly 50 years, Home of Guiding Hands has encouraged people – infants, children, adolescents and adults – with intellectual and developmental disabilities to thrive in a setting that offers a more fulfilling lifestyle, provides individualized attention, stresses increased opportunities for self-sufficiency, and inspires greater community integration and access. To reach as many individuals of this underserved population as possible, the organization offers several life skills training programs to the local community, which requires hundreds of thousands of direct care hours annually to support this population.

Gala event co-chairs include HGH board president Mary Miller and board of governors member, Irene Stone. Major sponsors include: Aguirre & Associates, Avista Technologies Inc., Barona Resort & Casino, Cal Bank & Trust, CBIZ MHM, LLC, Delsen & Company, LLP, Dowling & Yanhke, Inland Pacific Commercial Properties, Offmyrecord.com, Pioneer Healthcare Services, Quick Dry Flood Services, San Diego Special Needs Law Center, Scatena Daniels, Superior Care Pharmacy, Sycuan Casino, The Bill & Norma Verbeck Foundation, The Bloom Family Foundation, The Heramb Charitable Foundation, Torrey Pines Bank and Union Bank.