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The second annual charity gala for Guiding Star Marshalltown is Sept. 28, but the deadline to reserve seats is Thursday.
The Aligning the Stars Charity Gala will be held at Midnight Gardens from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will feature a three-course dinner, drinks, a silent auction, entertainment and speakers. Live music will be provided by professional violinists Austin and Hannah Jacobs.
Linda Jacobs is the client services coordinator, fertility educator and cycle show instructor for Guiding Star. She said people do not want to miss this upcoming event which helps fund the plethora of activities and events at the nonprofit. Jacobs added the gala is to also raise awareness.
"We had a lot of people last year attend the event that had never heard about Guiding Star," she said. "The beauty of table sponsors is they go out, fill their own table and bring people who have never heard about us and the services we offer women and families."
Executive Director Lindi Trowbridge will be the gala's first speaker. Board of Directors Vice Chair Rebecca Driscoll will speak of her Guiding Star experience as a volunteer board member and service recipient. Jacobs said there are some additional possibilities for speakers, but they have not yet been confirmed.
Jacobs said they have more than 20 items for the silent auction, ranging from $40 to $500, and some should capture the attention of attendees. The auction entry which Jacobs believes will generate the most interest is half a butchered hog. Some other auction items include a Pilgrim Heights cabin stay and s'mores for a family, a golf experience and a UTV outing. There are donated baskets with themes such as the Iowa Hawkeyes, Melaleuca natural-based products, wine and pasta, greeting cards from Stepping Stones Christian and barbecue.
Last year, Jacobs said 290 people attended the first gala.
"We would love to see that increase," she said. "It's a beautiful venue. We got a lot of compliments. We're hoping people will come back out and have a good time, and that more people who have not heard of us will attend."
Volunteer Cindy Soderberg, who also spoke highly of last year's gala, said Guiding Star's mission is to serve any woman, mother and family with life-affirming care and support.
"Our vision is every woman has hope, every child is a gift and every family values life," she said. "There is so much available to the women in our community."
The money raised at the gala will be used for the variety of services provided at the Guiding Star. The 100-percent donor-funded organization offers services for natural fertility and family planning, pregnancy and childbirth, breastfeeding and postpartum and family. Staff and volunteers also lead support groups for Labor and Delivery, Infant Loss and Miscarriage, Life After Abortion, Postpartum and Teen Fertility Education and Medical Management. In addition, Guiding Star offers childcare during classes, such as:
Natural fertility and family planning – Creighton Model Fertility Care Introductory Session, Fertility Awareness Based Methods Q&A and the Cycle Show Workshop;
Breastfeeding and postpartum – Breastfeeding clinics, Mom/Baby Care Class and Baby Weight Checks and;
Family life – Child Development series, Hormone Balance Through Lifestyle Choices and Baby/Family Photos by Have Camera, Must Travel.
TO RSVP:
Online: https://forms.gle/M86MpuBesU1jvuCq5
Email: contact@guidingstar.com
Phone: 641-351-4041
EVENT DETAILS:
Location: Midnight Gardens, 1501 S. 17th Ave.
Date: Sept. 28
Time: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Cost: $60 per person, $500 for a sponsored table of eight people.
Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.