This past summer, the Wings of Hope Board of Directors formed an ad hoc development committee to tackle several important development-related projects, with a focus on how they might be impacted by Covid-19. Here is what has been decided regarding the annual gala:
Will the gala still take place in February?
Through lots of research and connections with other nonprofits who have made successful transitions from in-person to virtual events, the committee determined that the risk of planning an inperson event for February 2021, as we’ve enjoyed in the past, simply isn’t possible for safety reasons.
Why make the decision to go virtual now? Can’t we just wait to see what happens with Covid in 2021?
An event such as the gala takes at least six months to plan; therefore, a virtual event is being planned for early summer 2021. The financial risks associated with planning an in-person event — securing a venue, professional auctioneer, band, sponsorships, etc., with the looming possibility that the event may have to be cancelled — are too great for our organization to bear.
What will this virtual event look like?
We are still working out the details, but the event will combine a video(s), silent auction, sponsorship opportunities, guest participation and “fund-a-need” into a highly produced and wellplanned virtual gala.
As our committee finalizes the event details, including the date, we will communicate this on our website and social media channels. Stay tuned!