Halloween might be over, but that’s no excuse to put away masks. The Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce’s Evening of Elegance is at 6 p.m. Nov. 13 at Villa Milano, 1630 Schrock Rd. This is the 23rd year for the event, which features a “masquerade” theme.
The Evening of Elegance has long been the chamber’s largest fundraising effort, generating money for charities, student scholarships and basic operating costs. It includes a dinner, entertainment and live and silent auctions.
Past big ticket auction items have included Ohio State football tickets, Blue Jackets tickets, getaways and a hot air balloon ride. This year’s auctioneer is Chris Davis.
The auction/dinner combination is just one of the many reasons the event has historically generated a large response, averaging between 325 and 400 people each year. Lindsay Brown, events coordinator at the chamber, attributes the interest to Westerville’s giving spirit.
“People just really value this community and they see what the chamber does and how it adds value to businesses in Westerville, and they’re willing to help with that. People see support of the chamber as support for the community as a whole,” Brown says.
Money raised from the Evening of Elegance specifically goes toward the Chamber Foundation, the non-profit arm of the chamber. The bulk of proceeds is used for general community contributions, including support of the Westerville Symphony, Westerville Caring and Sharing, which helps needy families, the Christmas Tree Lighting and Leadership Westerville, a community leadership development program.
The Foundation gives six $1,500 high school scholarships, one Otterbein MBA scholarship and several lifelong learning scholarships annually.
The event is open to the community. Tickets are $65 per person. A table for 10 people, including corporate signage, is $650. For more information, visit www.westervillechamber.com or call 614-882-8917.
Alicia Kelso is a contributing editor for Westerville Magazine.
BONUS: Some of the larger ticket items that attendees can bid on at this year’s Evening of Elegance include: a set of 18 box seats to a Blue Jackets Game donated by Chase; a scooter donated by Iron Pony; the use of a 2009 Honda Accord arranged by Roush Honda; and two tickets for a 2010 OSU Football Game.