 From left, Peggy Goldwyn, Marshall Peterson, Jeanne Meyer and Richard Carr don black and white attire to support The Advocates at The Advocates Annual Gala, The Black and White Soiree at Trail Creek Cabin in Sun Valley, in June 2010. Express photo by Willy Cook
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Since 1991, The Advocates has helped women and children leave violent relationships and rebuild their lives. The Advocates’ free services, available in English and Spanish 24 hours a day, include a staffed shelter, counseling and legal guidance. The Advocates relies on funding sources that include The Advocates’ Attic thrift store, the annual Chip-In for the Advocates Golf Tournament, public and private foundation grants and, of course, The Advocates’ annual Gala Auction.
This year, the Black & White Soiree has added a splash of purple to its festive attire. The much-anticipated benefit will take place Friday, July 1, at Trail Creek Cabin in Sun Valley at 5:30 p.m. with cocktails, dinner and dancing with live music by The Sensations. Tickets are $150.
The evening will also include a live, super silent and silent auctions as well as mystery gift boas for $50 and a Visa gift card raffle worth $10,000.
“This benefit is our largest fundraising effort,” said board President and event co-chair Joy Kasputys. “It helps fund our programs and services.”
Kasputys said demands continue to rise for the shelter and counseling.
“We do a lot of transition work with clients, community outreach and education,” she said. “The community outreach and education is taking off because of bullying, teen dating violence and sexting.”
Kasputys said The Advocates makes a difference in many ways that are not visible.
“I’m really proud of all the programs, new initiatives—we are making a difference,” she said. “The Advocates provides the tools to transition from a bad relationship and helps build a healthy one.”
This year, the gala will include the debut of a new video produced by board member Peggy Goldwyn, which will show at community education programs throughout the coming months.
In addition, live auction items include an exclusive three-night stay for two people at the Amangani in Jackson Hole, Wyo.; a six-day whitewater rafting trip for two people on the Main Salmon River; a London flat for a week; a week of luxury and serenity at a Four Season pentouse in Punta Mita, Mexico; a cocktail party for 40 at the Cornerstone Bar and Grill in Ketchum; five nights for eight people at a beachfront home at Laniakea Beach, Oahu; a dance party for 50 at Elkhorn Springs Restaurant in Sun Valley and a Sun Valley experience including a Sun Valley Resort golf season pass for one from July to October; breakfast, lunch or brunch at Cristina’s for four; four front-row bleacher tickets to the Sun Valley Ice Show featuring 2010 Olympic gold medalist Evan Lysaceck on Saturday, July 23; and early-entry tickets to Rickie Lee Jones at River Run Lodge on Tuesday, Aug. 2.
“This year we have some wonderful modern decorations and we tightened up the evening with fewer speeches,” Kasputys said. “There are great auction items such as buy your table a round of drinks, and the raffle is amazing—a $10,000 Visa gift card—who doesn’t want that?”
Kasputys said The Advocates does make a difference and entities such as The Attic, a second-hand resell store, has been doing very well since it’s been renovated.
“People should wear black-and-white creative attire,” she said. “And add their splash of purple.”
Sabina Dana Plasse: splasse@mtexpress.com
