PACE's 10th Annual Gala & Auction, Imagine, is a success!
PACE Imagines the Possibilities for Individuals with Autism
Pacific Autism Center for Education’s 10th Annual Gala & Auction “Imagine” is a success
Santa Clara, CA, November 23, 2010—Over 225 guests attended Pacific Autism Center for Education’s 10th Annual Gala and Auction, Imagine, on November 5! The imaginative- and fun-filled evening showcased tremendous amounts of community spirit and philanthropy for PACE.
The Gala was held at the beautiful Spanish-style Hayes Mansion in San Jose. Many elements contributed to the theme of “Imagine”: a photo slideshow of PACE clients played continuously in the ballroom (many taken by Simon Bannister from imotion studios and freelancer Tali Litmanovitz, who both generously donated their services) ; Club D, a four piece band, played classic rock favorites and opened with John Lennon’s “Imagine”; the VIP goodie bags were decorated by PACE School students; and PACE School student Steven performed the song “Through My Eyes,” a song written by a person with Autism about “imagining” the world through the eyes of someone with this neurodevelopmental disorder.
Welcoming remarks by celebrity emcee Marianne Favro, the Emmy-award winning medical reporter for NBC Bay Area, kicked off the evening, along with remarks from Kurt Ohlfs, PACE Executive Director. The evening’s theme focused on the mission of the agency, “imagining” the possibilities for individuals with autism and the clients and families that PACE serves.
Indeed, a memorable and moving highlight of the event was PACE School student Steven’s musical performance. Beth Harmon, PACE Speech Language Pathologist, introduced Steven, explaining how Steven had worked for months on learning and practicing the song with herself, PACE music therapist Lauren Bevilacqua, and PACE Assistant Executive Director and singer Karen Kennan. Steven then performed the song perfectly, and rightly earned a standing ovation from the audience.
The live auction was also a success. The start to the live auction was a hit with the crowd: speed painter Tim Decker created two paintings of John Lennon and John F Kennedy to music in under five minutes, another element of the “Imagine” theme. Gia and George McElroy, PACE parents, won the John Lennon painting, and Tony and Michelle Clement won the painting of JFK. Tony and Michelle also won tickets to see American Idol; Mark and Heidi Klein won two premier orchestra seats to the SF Symphony; and William Van Cleave won a Hawaiian vacation with a week’s stay in a Hawaiian villa in Kauai. Overall, the event raised over $115,000 for PACE programs and services!
The Gala was put together with the hard work of the volunteer-driven PACE Gala committee, under the direction of co-chairs Penny Barrett and Carmen Pascual and Development Director Bridget Holian.
Founded in 1989, PACE provides services for children and adults with Autism in the Bay Area, including Children’s Services, PACE School, Adult Day Vocational, and Residential homes. PACE thanks all guests and corporate and individual sponsors who made this event such a success, including major sponsors The Escher Family Foundation, an anonymous donor, Patrick & Penny Barrett, and Wells Fargo.
###
Contact: Nora Martin, Marketing and Communication Manager (noramartin@pacificautism.org)
Support PACE
PACE depends on the generosity of caring contributors in the community in order to provide the highest quality of care for individuals with Autism.
Connect with PACE
Find Us On
