For nearly three decades, Grapevine ReliefbrAnd Community Exchange (GRACE) has been a haven for families facing crisis inbrGreater Northeast Tarrant County. In the midst of their hardship, GRACE comesbralongside families to not only provide emergency assistance, but long-termbrsolutions designed to empower families in the community.
The agency's largest singular fund raisingbrevent, the GRACE Gala, was conceptualized in 2004 to meet the vital needs ofbrfamilies in our community. The GRACE Board of Directors put together a dynamicbrGRACE Gala Advisory Board made up of prominent community members frombrGrapevine, Southlake and Colleyville. Six months before the first Gala, thebrevent was sold out. The private and corporate community had risen to thebrchallenge by sponsoring tables, donating auction items and attending an eventbrthat had quickly become the most anticipated event of the year.
The event, which takes place on October 10,brhas since become known as the premier event in Northeast Tarrant County,brboasting gourmet food, fine wine, superb entertainment and unparalleled auctionbritems.
This year the Gala Committee is unveiling abrdiamond-studded motif that promises to be a dazzling evening that is asbrpurposeful as it is glamorous.
“The GRACE Gala is my favorite night of thebryear, “says Executive Director Shonda Schaefer, “there's a vibrant, infectiousbrenergy when the community rallies together with a kindred desire to seebrfamilies thrive again. The event is a spectacular night, but to see how itbrchanges the stories of families to hope from despair; there is no greaterbrreward than that.”
The proceeds from the Gala allow GRACE tobrgive food, clothing, shelter, education and medical care and other types ofbremergency assistance to families facing crisis. GRACE has various children's programs, including Feed Our Kids, abrlunch initiative that provides over 38,500 meals to at-risk children during thebrsummer months, and Christmas Cottage,brwhich provides new, wrapped toys to over 1,600 children each holidaybrseason.
The GRACE Food Pantry supplies an estimatedbrvalue of nearly $500,000 in food staples each year. In addition the GRACEbrCommunity Garden annually produces 3,000 pounds of fresh, organic producebrfamilies at risk for malnourishment. The GRACE Community Clinic offers medicalbrcare, vital screenings, immunizations and preventative healthcare. GRACEbrFriends and Family meets the emotional and physical needs of the seniorbrpopulation in the community. A comprehensive two-year program, GRACEbrTransitional Housing provides shelter and holistic case management to displacedbrfamilies, including those fleeing domestic violence.
On Saturday, October 10 at the IrvingbrConvention Center, the community has the opportunity to celebrate what has beenbraccomplished, and look ahead with great anticipation. With each passing year,brthe funds raised at the GRACE Gala allow GRACE to advance the mission ofbrproviding assistance to families who need it most. Sponsorships range frombr$1,500 to $15,000. Individual tickets are $300, and a table of ten is $2,750.brAuction item sponsorships are also available.
For ticket and sponsorship details for thebrGRACE Gala, visit GRACEGala.org.
GRACE Grapevine is a faith-based, social service agency that providesbremergency assistance to an average of 5,100 families and individuals each year.brFor nearly three decades, GRACE has partnered with the community provide food,brclothing, shelter, education and medical care to guide families and individualsbrtoward self-sufficiency. Learn about our programs and volunteer opportunitiesbrat GRACEGrapevine.org.