Despite a cloudy afternoon in Sunol, spirits were riding high at the 16th HERS People With Purpose Gala on March 29. Fitting this year’s western theme and small-town setting, many donned cowboy hats and boots in addition to the breast cancer fundraiser’s more traditional pink.
Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum donated Wild West props so that attendees could pose for photos at check in. Representatives from the film museum also came dressed as bandits and welcomed people as they filtered over to the patio for cocktails.
The gala began with a cocktail hour, where guests had the chance to mingle, bid on silent auction items, and enter Glitz in a Glass (for a champagne glass plus raffle ticket) or buy a pink bandana to participate in Heads or Tails (where guests tried to predict the most coin flips to win a gift basket).
Next, guests filed into the main hall of Casa Bella Event Center, which was appropriately decked out with pink lights and elegant table settings. Director Kirstin Litz gave opening remarks. She acknowledged the Fremont Firefighters, who were unable to attend the event due to the passing of firefighter Anthony Ganzler. A Firehouse Dinner for six, donated by Fremont Fire Local 1689—a group of the International Association of Fire Fighters, was one of the live auction items, and went for $2,000.
Survivor Sheila Amaral shared her cancer story via a pre-recorded video and attended with family. After her diagnosis, she had surgery and did 30 rounds of radiation, followed by hormone blockers. HERS helped her get fitted for post-surgical bras. She praised the foundation for their work “making people feel ok with themselves again in some little way.” Amaral accepted a bouquet and thanked HERS and her doctor.
Event MC and auctioneer Heather Holmes (Fox 2 News) joked about growing up on a Texas pig farm: “This is the one time I actually get to say ‘y’all.’” She talked up the getaways, wine tastings and Raiders tickets, encouraging guests to compete with each other and bid for a good cause.
Holmes said, “My dad, who was a proud pig farmer, taught me that you don’t just take care of your own land, you take care of the people around you. You lend a hand, you share what you have, and you make sure that no one gets left behind. And that’s exactly what HERS does.”
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