REVEALED GALA A HUGE SUCCESS

More than 480 Rotarians and their guests made REVEALED, District 5810’s Gala and fundraiser, a huge success on Saturday, February 22.  The event’s patrons celebrated Service Above Self, the Rotary Foundation, Rotary members, volunteers, and donors at the 4th Annual Humanity in Motion Gala.
The event themed REVEALED, A Masquerade Ball, was held in the Grand Ballroom of the Hilton Anatole Hotel. The night began with a “red carpet” walk for patrons to take selfies and have their photos taken in front of District 5810’s new photo booth backdrop.  A silent auction, accompanied by cocktail reception, was followed by dinner and the celebration of Rotary International’s 109th birthday.
 
 
 
The crowed was wowed by tango dances provided by an international group of 24 professional and amateur dancers, arranged by Richardson Rotary’s Dr. Glenn Burnett II. Then came presentations REVEALING Rotary’s dedication to the ideal of Service Above Self, shared by Andy Smallwood, Rotary International’s Treasurer. Smallwood provided an update about the global effort to End Polio Now. Noel Bajat, a Past International Vice President & Trustee of The Rotary Foundation, shared his program entitled Rotary’s Crown Jewel, which REVEALED the Foundation’s commitment to critical and widespread humanitarian needs.
The evening concluded with dancing to the sounds of the Bobby Young and Unique Band. The annual Humanity in Motion Gala represents our District’s largest single fundraising event each year benefiting The Rotary Foundation. Funds were raised via ticket sales, sponsorships, a wine pull, silent and live auctions and direct contributions.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A small army of volunteers representing local Interact and Rotoract clubs were instrumental throughout the entire day of setup. They provided support to Gala Co-Chairs John Moser and Krista Hartman, and their planning team.  Xavier Gonzalez, Interact District Governor, along with Assistant Governors Erin Hagood and Alex Guerrero, plus Marielle Lopez, University of Texas at Dallas Rotaract Club and Melwin Zachariah, Collin College Rotaract President led their teams in an extraordinary manner.  Special thanks to the core 2014 Gala Team:  Owen Devlin (Uptown), Glen McCrary (Grand Prairie Metro), Judy Tuley (East Dallas), Lisa Leach (Plano West), District Governor Nominee Larry Webb (Prestonwood), Dr. Glenn Burnett II (Richardson), K. Lyle Froese (McKinney Sunrise), Sandra Moudy (Richardson), Fred Speno (Park Cities), Don Jensen, (Irving Las Colinas), Pete McLellan (McKinney), John Ernst (Plano), and Durane Castleberry (Uptown).