Annual Village Project gala returns Feb. 27

Great news! NOURISH, the popular fundraising gala benefiting Village Project, will be held for a sixth consecutive year.

As always, this eagerly-anticipated event will be a chance to unite with other members of the community in support of this worthwhile local organization. The COVID-19 crisis has certainly demonstrated how essential human interaction is to personal fulfillment. As a wise and talented man, Tom Ford, once said, “The most important things in life are the connections you make with others.”

We all know that it has been a challenge to physically connect with other people during this past year. For that reason, Village Project is very excited to tell you that NOURISH 2021 will provide a fun, safe and easy way to make a connection and interact virtually with lots of great people as we all help to sustain its mission to come together as a community of all ages to provide nourishing meals and extended care and service to our neighbors battling cancer in Bay Village, Westlake, Avon, Avon Lake and Rocky River.

This year, NOURISH will take place in a virtual interactive ballroom utilizing the Remo platform. Once you have logged in you’ll be able to have real-time, face-to-face table conversations as well as large group interactions. The event also features some of the usual NOURISH fun, including entertainment and opportunities to win raffle baskets, wonderful silent auction items, a 50/50 raffle and a scratch-off game. A video showing the ease and fun of the Remo event platform can be found on the VP website: www.ourvillageproject.com/nourish.

The event will take place on Saturday, Feb. 27, from 7-9 p.m. Everyone is invited to participate. Guests may attend NOURISH from home or even from far away. All you need is a computer with internet access. Wear whatever you like – go formal or casual. Have your camera on or off during the event – it’s up to you! Invite your out-of-town family and friends to join you. It is a great opportunity to see and talk to people that perhaps you have not been able to interact with for way too long.

There are two different ticket prices for this year’s event:

• Raffle Tickets and Event: $50. This ticket provides access to the virtual interactive event plus two 50/50 raffle tickets. Individual ticket purchases are recommended to optimize the experience.
• Dinner and Event: $60 per person. Each guest has a choice of a vegetarian or meat entrée, plus a side dish and dessert, all prepared in the Village Project kitchen by VP’s skilled staff and volunteers. This ticket also includes access to the virtual interactive event, a NOURISH program and VP swag bag. Food, program and swag bag can be picked up curbside at Village Project headquarters on the day of the event. The deadline for purchasing event tickets with dinner is Feb. 20.

Not available on the evening of Feb. 27? There are other great ways that you can help out the cause. You may participate in the raffle and auction even if you don’t purchase event tickets. The auction and raffle site will go live for bidding on Feb. 20. Sponsorships are available until Feb. 10 and are a great way to highlight your business while supporting the community.

To purchase event tickets, T-shirts, 50/50 raffle tickets, and to find out about sponsorships and additional information about the event, visit Nourish2021.givesmart.com.

Village Project Executive Director Barb Harrell invites everyone to join her for this special event. In her own words, “Even though in-person, large group gatherings are on hold, cancer doesn’t take a break. VP is committed to raising much-needed funding through NOURISH to provide for our clients battling cancer. Although we will miss seeing everyone in person, this virtual platform is the next best thing.”

All proceeds from this evening will ensure that Village Project continues to provide the meals and extended services so needed by its clients in the most caring, thoughtful and economical way possible.