Committee goes for the gold

Date: 11/3/2008

By Natasha Clark

Assistant Managing Editor



LONGMEADOW Somehow each year the annual LEEF Gala seems to get bigger and better. Set to take place Nov. 15 at the Longmeadow Country Club, the evening promises unique festivities and invaluable auction items.

This year's theme, "Going for the Gold," falls right in line with the top-notch plans for the evening. At the live and silent auctions, guests will have the opportunity to bid on one-of-a-kind items such as a week in Paris, boxing champ Muhammad Ali's gloves, John Hardy diamond earrings, half court Celtic tickets complete with a limo ride, February vacation week at Mount Snow and much more. Special $50 gift boxes will be sold containing surprise gifts inside equivalent in value. Some boxes will even consist of items over $200 -- it's all a part of the surprise and fun the committee hopes to have at this year's gala. Over 200 items will be auctioned off online as well starting Nov. 5.

There will be live music from Abby Thomsen, a jazz quartet and string ensemble, Bradford Cohen a former contestant on "The Apprentice" -- will act as the gala's MC and Dave Mindel will act as auctioneer. Raffle prizes, a "comfort food station" and a raw bar will also be available.

The gala is LEEF's biggest fundraiser of the year and the committee hopes to raise nearly $70,000 with the help of the community. Since its founding in 2001, LEEF has given out 144 grants and over $561,000.

That is why Judi Threlfall, co-chair of the LEEF Gala Committee, wanted the volunteers, gala participants and sponsors to know just how thankful the committee is to have their involvement. They wanted to thank all sponsors including Arbella Insurance, D.J. St. Germain, UBS, the Arthritis Treatment Center, Collins Pipe, Emirzian Mariano & Associates and Bay Path College.

"We just want to thank everyone this year. The economy is not that easy. We just want to thank all of our volunteers, sponsors and [guests]," Threlfall said.

Tickets to the gala are $65 each and can be purchased online at LEEF's Web site, www.longmeadowleef.org, or by calling Stephanie Smith at 567-2979. The gala will take place at 400 Shaker Rd. at 6:30 p.m. The auction will begin at 9 p.m.