Annual Hope Gala getting all jazzed up

Lake Norman residents can get a taste of New Orleans while helping their community at the second annual Hope Gala on Jan. 28.

The Hope at the Point Foundation will host “A Taste of New Orleans and All That Jazz” at the Charles Mack Citizen Center starting with cocktails at 6 pm.

In addition to the dancing and feasting, guests will help raise funds for the Mooresville/Lake Norman Christian Mission, Mooresville Soup Kitchen, Healthreach Clinic and the Purple Heart Homes.

“The Hope at the Point Foundation has three types of charities that we typically support, children, community and cancer,” said Bernard Ford, chairman for the Hope Gala and board member for the Hope at the Point Foundation.

“Last year, we chose children, so we raised about $85,000 for Barium Springs and the Children’s Home of Iredell County with 84 guests. This year, we chose to focus on the community, and all of the charities we chose are so invested locally. The idea of community is how we chose the Charles Mack Citizen Center and the theme for this year.”

Ford said the idea for a New Orleans-style party came to him while watching a “60 Minutes” special on the city.

“I remember the mayor of New Orleans speaking about what it takes to make a community, with the culture, flavors, music and cooking working together to make a diverse city,” Ford said. “All of those things are the heart of the city, and when they were rebuilding after Katrina, it shined through and that hit home for me. I took a trip to New Orleans not long after that, and I came back with a ton of ideas for the Gala.”

The event will be “black tie optional,” with Kellie Patterson from WCNC-TV serving as emcee. Guests will enjoy butlered hors d’oeuvres and an upscale catered meal with wine pairings while bidding on live and silent auction items.

“All of the food and décor will have the New Orleans flair, so it’ll be a lot of fun,” said Sandra West, director of development for the Mooresville/Lake Norman Christian Mission. “ ‘Sign of the Times’ will be the band that performs during the event and they’re very popular in Charlotte.”

Ford is eager for the silent auction.

“We have a Carolina Panthers football signed by Cam Newton, a balloon ride, large dinner parties cooked in your home for you, spa packages, a weekend in Asheville, a three hour cruise on a 120-foot yacht and a sea plane ride; those are only some of the things we’ve secured,” he said. “We’re working on a few more things to round out our auction items but it’s going to be a nice affair.”

Ford said that people who have never attended the Gala “are missing out on a great opportunity.”

“All of the charities we’re fundraising for already have specific projects in mind that they would like to use this money toward,” he said. “It’s worth it to go for the charity aspect alone. We’re actually going to have a speaker from one of the charities we supported last year who will share with us what they were able to do as a result of everyone’s efforts.

“It’s very significant and we’re very proud of what they managed to do with that money. Anything else you get out of the event is just gravy. We’re giving you extra incentive to help your community.”

Tickets for the Hope Gala must be bought in advance and are $250 per person. Tables for eight can be purchased at a 10 percent discount. For ticket information, call Marjorie Smith at 704-799-9099 or email msmithbel@gmail.com. To buy tickets online, visit www.hope-point.org.