05 Feb 2012 Conway's Valentine Gala – helping the homeless

Plans are being finalized for an elegant evening of entertainment, enticing foods and auction items at the Valentine Gala and Silent Auction to benefit Bethlehem House.

The event is planned at 6 p.m. Friday at oneChurch, 1073 Front St., in Downtown Conway.

According to Bethlehem development coordinator Jill Imboden, the annual event “will be better than ever with more live and silent auction items. So far, among the auction items, we have three pairs of tickets for the sold out Jimmy Buffett Concert, UCA basketball tickets and a bicycle from The Ride.”

“Donating auction items is a great way for local businesses to show off the goods and services they offer,” said homeless shelter executive director Judi Lively. “We will have more auction items than any time before. Everyone can follow the growing list of items on the Bethlehem House Facebook page where items will be posted.”

Lively says tickets are still available for the event. “Our supporters are approaching area businesses and corporations for sponsorships that come with tables for eight. Anyone interested in a table sponsorship can contact the shelter. Individual tickets are selling very well and are available on our website.

“The Valentine Gala is a great opportunity to share a meal and raise funds to help care for those who need it most, the homeless,” Lively said.

According to Imboden, the gala is extremely important because it a major fundraiser that supplies operation funds at the shelter.

“With the downturn in the economy, overall giving is down and that means the operational fund which supplies the day to day expenses of the shelter is also down,” Lively said.

Tickets are $25 each and are on sale at Bethlehem House, 930 Faulkner St. Tickets may be purchased in advance on the shelter’s website at bethlehemhouse.net. Tickets will also be available at the door.