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‘WREATHS FOR A CAUSE’ PROGRAM RAISES OVER $17,700 FOR LOCAL CHARITIES

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‘WREATHS FOR A CAUSE’ PROGRAM RAISES OVER $17,700 FOR LOCAL CHARITIES

‘WREATHS FOR A CAUSE’ PROGRAM RAISES OVER $17,700 FOR LOCAL CHARITIES

83 holiday wreaths were auctioned at open house event to support over 50 nonprofits

Wreaths for a Cause - bidding at open houseThe Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) raised $17,745 for local charities through the annual “Wreaths for a Cause” holiday program. More than 150 guests attended the Dec. 15 open house to celebrate the holidays, enjoy door prizes and participate in a live and silent auction of wreaths – all to benefit area nonprofit organizations.

Area businesses and organizations created and displayed 83 wreaths in IALR’s atrium in honor of their selected charities to raise funds in the form of votes, or donations. The public visited IALR’s atrium Nov. 28-Dec. 15 to vote for wreaths with a donation. Each of the more than 50 charities represented retained those funds, and the wreath that collected the most money (donated by Goodyear Tire and Rubber to support United Way of Danville-Pittsylvania County) received a bonus of $1,000 at the open house. Two random drawings of all wreaths awarded additional $1,000 and $500 bonus awards to participating charities:  the Claire Parker Foundation, supported by GO TEC and Furniture Depot, and Hope House, supported by Wilkins & Co. and Building Blocks Center for Children with Autism. All wreaths were then auctioned off, raising more funds for the supported charities.

“It amazes me every year how much our community actively supports this annual charitable and festive event,” said Leslie Dobbins, Vice President, Facilities and the Institute Conference Center. “We are honored to serve as the facilitator and host of these beautifully decorated wreaths in support of our local charities. I sincerely appreciate our staff and all the area organizations and businesses for participating, and I deeply value the support and engagement of our community.”

At the open house, Austin Scher of the Danville Otterbots served as master of ceremonies, and Rita Smith of River City Auction served as wreath auctioneer. All guests had an opportunity to win door prizes donated from local businesses and ticket proceeds from the event went to the United Way of Danville-Pittsylvania County.  

“Wreaths for a Cause” sponsors included platinum sponsor Dewberry; gold sponsors Goodyear Tire and Rubber, JTI and Wilkins & Co. Realtors; silver sponsor FCS Inc.; and bronze sponsors Caesars Virginia and Riverside Roof Truss. Since IALR began a holiday fundraising program for nonprofits in 2010, $157,333 has been raised for charitable causes.

Click here for more photos.

Wreaths for a Cause open house

IALR to Hold Open House and Auction Event for “Wreaths for a Cause” Program

IALR to Hold Open House and Auction Event for “Wreaths for a Cause” Program

More than 80 holiday wreaths to be auctioned for local charities, and event ticket sales to benefit United Way

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) will hold “Wreaths for a Cause” this holiday season and invites the public to attend the Open House where they may celebrate the holidays, enjoy prizes and participate in a live and silent auction of wreaths. Tickets are $10 each with proceeds going to the United Way of Danville & Pittsylvania County. Funds from the wreaths will benefit the charity each participating organization designated.  

“Every holiday season, we look forward to inviting the public to enjoy decorations in our Institute Conference Center while also giving back to our nonprofits who are so important to the fabric of our community,” said Ellen Bass of IALR. “This is the second year for Wreaths for a Cause, and we hope to raise even more funds than the $16,000 we were fortunate to raise last year.”

The Open House will be held in IALR’s atrium on Dec. 15 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar will be provided. Austin Scher of the Danville Otterbots will serve as master of ceremonies, and Rita Smith of River City Auction will serve as wreath auctioneer. A 7:15 p.m. drawing will award a gift card package from local businesses (currently valued at $250); individuals must be present to win. Open House tickets may be purchased in advance at IALR Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., or at the door event night.   

Area businesses and organizations create and display wreaths in IALR’s atrium in honor of their selected charities to raise funds in the form of votes, or donations. The public may visit IALR’s atrium Nov. 28-Dec. 15 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. to vote for wreaths with a donation and to enjoy the festive display. Each charity retains those funds, and the wreath/charity that collects the most money prior to the Open House will receive a bonus of $1,000. At the Open House, a random drawing of all wreaths will award another $1,000 and $500 to a participating charity.

Photos from last year’s Wreaths for a Cause: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmXfPACN

Bass Recognized by United Way for Wreaths Campaign

Bass Recognized by United Way for Wreaths Campaign

If you have ever visited IALR between Thanksgiving and Christmas, you may be familiar with the festive holiday program hosted annually. First launched as Decorating the Trees for a Cause and last year revamped to Decorating the Wreaths for a Cause, this event invites businesses to submit decorated wreaths to raise funds, in the form of votes, for a select charity. The event is a major undertaking and has been spearheaded for 12 years by Ellen Bass, IALR’s Sales and Marketing Manager, who was recently recognized by United Way for her efforts.

Heather Satterfield, Past Chair of United Way, recognizes IALR’s Ellen Bass with the Exceptional Event Award for her leadership
of the 2021 Decorating the Wreaths for a Cause program.

“Ellen gives one hundred percent in all that she does to offer exceptional conference services to our guests, businesses and community,” said Leslie Dobbins, Director of the Institute Conference Center and Facilities. “Her leadership in Decorating the Wreaths is always admirable and worthy of commendation. We are fortunate to have her as part of our team.”

During last month’s annual meeting of United Way of Danville-Pittsylvania County, Bass received the Exceptional Event Award for her leadership of the 2021 Decorating the Wreaths for a Cause program. Since the holiday program’s inception in 2010, it has raised more than $135,000 for local charities. In 2021 alone, the new wreaths focus raised more than $16,000. The wreath that collected the most money also received a bonus of $500 at the open house event; it was donated by Goodyear Tire and Rubber to support United Way.

“I am honored to have been recognized in such a special way by United Way, who does a fabulous job of supporting our nonprofit organizations and community on a day-to-day basis,” said Bass. “To lead such an impactful program is very rewarding, and I look forward to continuing to help IALR meet the needs of our community in meaningful ways.”

IALR to Hold Open House and Auction Event for New “Wreaths for a Cause” Program

IALR to Hold Open House and Auction Event for New “Wreaths for a Cause” Program

More than 60 holiday wreaths to be auctioned for local charities, and event ticket sales to benefit United Way

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) will hold “Wreaths for a Cause” this holiday season and invites the public to attend the Open House where they may celebrate the holidays, enjoy prizes and have the chance to participate in a live and silent auction of wreaths. Tickets are $10 each with proceeds going to the United Way of Danville & Pittsylvania County. Funds from the wreaths will benefit the charity each participating organization designated.

“We’ve always viewed the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research as a toolbox for the community, so what better way to support the backbone of our community than to give back to the charities who so selflessly serve our residents day in and day out,” said Ellen Bass of IALR. “This year, we are pivoting to provide a fresh new twist on our annual holiday service program by featuring decorated wreaths rather than trees, and we are happy to learn that our community and participants appear to be excited.”

The Open House will be held in IALR’s atrium on Dec. 14 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar will be provided. Austin Scher of the Danville Otterbots (and chair of the United Way of Danville & Pittsylvania County campaign) will serve as master of ceremonies, and Rita Smith of River City Auction will serve as wreath auctioneer. A 7:15 p.m. drawing will award a gift card package from local businesses (currently valued at $250); individuals must be present to win. Open House tickets may be purchased online at https://bit.ly/IALR-Wreaths-2021 or at any of the following locations: United Way of Danville & Pittsylvania County, 308 Craghead St. #104, Danville; IALR, 150 Slayton Ave., Danville; Commonwealth Home Health Care, 479 Piney Forest Road, Danville; and Haymore Garden Center, 2720 Franklin Turnpike, Danville.

As in years past with the tree program, area businesses and organizations have created and displayed wreaths in IALR’s atrium in honor of their selected charities to raise funds in the form of votes, or donations. The public may visit IALR’s atrium Nov. 29-Dec. 14 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. to vote for wreaths with a donation and to enjoy the festive display. Each charity retains those funds, and the wreath/charity that collects the most money prior to the Open House will receive a bonus of $500. At the Open House, a random drawing of all wreaths will award another $500 to a participating charity.

‘Decorating the Wreaths’ sponsors include URW Community Federal Credit Union, an anonymous donor, Commonwealth Home Health Care, Piedmont Infusion Services and Links Coffee House Café.