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Community Foundation hosts annual Evening in the Garden Gala

Event on May 31 raises funds for six Abbotsford charities.

The Abbotsford Community Foundation’s (ACF)  Evening in the Garden Gala on Saturday, May 31 at the Ramada Plaza and Conference Centre is going Hollywood this year.

The event includes a dance component involving local “stars” who will perform in front of a panel of judges and gala guests.

The dancers are: Mary Boonstra and  Lorissa Arndt, Business Excellence Dancers; Charlotte and Rob Lepp, Lepp Farm Market; Denise Rathnam and Jason McElhoes, Modpro Containers Ltd.; and Jati Sidhu and Friends, Fraser Valley Indo-Canadian Business Association.

People can vote ahead of time for the dancers of their choice. Votes are $20 each and can be made by visiting abbotsfordcf.org and clicking on the link to the Dancing with the Stars donation form.

“Not only can you ‘buy’ votes legally but we’ll give you a tax receipt for the full amount,” said Susan McAlevy, ACF executive director.

This year’s gala will feature a lavish display of flowers and plants with the added Hollywood glamour of palm trees, the red carpet, a delicious Abby-tini and photos in front of classic car.

There will also be a chance to win one of three grand prizes, including a trip for two to Palm Springs, a Wall of Wine (over 70 bottles) or a getaway to Osoyoos at the Walnut Beach Resort.

The hosts for the evening are Scott Riley and Lisa Stevens from Star FM’s morning show, and the entertainment following Dancing with the Stars is the Atari Radio Starz band, which plays the hits of the ’80s.

The silent auction includes a wide selection of entertainment, dining, golf and spa packages with all the proceeds shared by the gala’s six charity partners: Abbotsford Community Services, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Fraser Valley, CNIB Abbotsford, Fraser Valley Child Development Centre, Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation (Abbotsford Regional Hospital), and The Reach Gallery Museum Abbotsford.

Doors for the gala open at 5:30 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit abbotsfordcf.org/gala or call 604-850-3755.