Dear John,
At the end of February, we met for our team meeting about our Gala. As the Director of Events, I was ready to report on the commitment of longtime sponsors as well as new sponsors, how we were surpassing attendee projections, and the amazing experiences we were lining up for the auction. The NVFS Gala is always a successful and inspiring event, but 2020 was positioned to be the biggest and best yet.
Three weeks later, the NVFS main office was closed. A month after that, the event had to be cancelled.
We call this evening the Road to Independence Gala because it celebrates our indominatable human spirit—our natural inclination to learn, to grow, to be healthy, whole and connected to community. And, it celebrates the generosity of those who have means to take care of those who don't yet.
Now, of most concern for me is our clients—the kids in our head start classes and their guardians, the people who have found light in the darkness through counseling at our Multicultural Center, and the families trying to rebuild their lives in our homeless shelter. The Gala is our largest source of unrestricted income, and the need in Northern Virginia may be greater than ever in the coming months.
So, today, I want to introduce you to the Road to Resilience Campaign. Between now and June 30th, the end of our fiscal year, we hope to raise $250,000 to ensure that all of our neighbors who turn to us in times of need—during this health crisis and beyond—will be met with the compassionate, innovative programs for which we are known. Any donation big or small will make a difference.
NVFS prides itself on its exemplary staff and its thoughtful management of resources, but we can't do this without you. As I’m sure you know, this situation is unprecedented, and we are hoping for an unprecedented response to this campaign.
As always, together we can overcome any challenge.
