A Magical Gala Benefits House of Hope in February
STUART, Fla. – Breathtaking feats of agility by the artists of the Lollipop Lyra, cocktails on the patio, and a sumptuous dinner earned rave reviews from the 140 guests at the House of Hope’s inaugural gala “Cirque du Soirée” on February 18.
With the Pedersen Family Foundation as the presenting sponsor, the gala featured acrobats, jugglers and a tarot card reader throughout the evening at Willoughby Golf Club. Guests enjoyed dancing with DJ Todd from Sound Choice DJ and both a silent and live auction with intriguing items like seven nights at the stunning Palm Springs Tennis Club, a NASCAR racing experience, tickets to hear Nashville star Jon Langston, and a cowboy hat signed by Cole Hauser---“Rip” from Yellowstone.
“We’re grateful to everyone who helped make our very first gala a success,” House of Hope CEO Rob Ranieri said. “It’s always a great evening when our generous friends and supporters come together to enjoy a fun event and raise funds for an important cause.”
The gala raised more than $101,000 to support House of Hope's Project HOPE (“Help Others Progress through Empowerment”). This outreach program provides services directly to clients, including individual case management, enrichment opportunities, financial assistance through a crisis, support through the job-searching process, and the distribution of healthy foods to clients and the community.
In addition to the Pedersen Family Foundation, the gala was also sponsored by Ashley Capital, Meritage Homes, Three Lakes, Davies + Co., the Firefly Group, Carr Riggs & Ingram, HBKS Wealth Advisors, the Jensen Beach Garden Club, O’Donnell Impact Windows and Storm Protection, One Martin, and RE/MAX of Stuart.
About House of Hope
Founded in 1984, House of Hope is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers Martin County residents to overcome hunger and hardship. House of Hope touches the lives of more than 7,000 people each month helping with basic needs such as food, clothing, furniture, financial assistance, as well as longer-term case management services that help build life skills for a more self-sufficient future. The organization has service centers in Stuart, Hobe Sound, Indiantown, and Jensen Beach, and Thrift Shops in South Stuart, Hobe Sound and Indiantown. House of Hope’s Enrichment Centers in Stuart and Jensen Beach offer free programs, technology, and workshops designed to enhance life skills, earning potential, health, and overall well-being. House of Hope also operates the Growing Hope Farm in Palm City and several nutrition gardens that provide sustainable sources of fresh produce for clients as well as nutrition education and vocational opportunities to the community. For more information, visit hohmartin.org or call 772-286-4673. Updates and announcements can also be found on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Hohmartin, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/houseofhopemc/, and Twitter https://twitter.com/hohmartin.