Stay at home gala dinner
“No ballrooms, no average kosher food, no long speeches” boasts the invitation to Stand Up’s first Gala Dinner.
For its annual appeal, Stand Up is asking supporters to don their slippers and prepare a comforting cup of tea or a neat glass of whisky instead of suits, cocktail dresses and babysitters. Welcome to fundraising Stand Up style.
Many people will rejoice at Stand Up’s choice to host a quirky ‘Stay at Home’ fundraising event, as the launch pad for its annual appeal. Lillian Kline, Stand Up’s Development Director, said “We understand that people are busy at this time of year. And, as a small organisation, we don’t have the resources to organize a fancy dinner anyway. We thought we would ask our supporters in a more direct way to support the work we do”.
The organisation hopes that the money its supporters would normally spend on taxis, babysitters, hairdressers, or new outfits for a gala event, will instead be donated directly to its annual appeal. Supporters are encouraged to still buy ‘tickets’ (a.k.a. tax-deductible donations) to the virtual event. Many people attending charity dinners often don’t realize that the tickets to these events are not tax-deductible and only the pledges made on the night are.
Gary Samowitz, Stand Up’s CEO said, “we hope that our supporters will appreciate we have decided to concentrate our efforts on the running of our social justice and education programs, rather than divert energy and funds towards hosting a formal dinner. While the dinner is imaginary, all donations will be used to directly fund the very ‘real’ work we do in remote Indigenous communities and with refugee groups in Victoria and NSW. We are all about the Jewish community Standing Up and creating a better world.”
For its imaginary gala, Stand Up is encouraging guests to savour a night in the comfort of their own homes, or out with friends and family, enjoying the menu and dress code of their choice.
To find out more about Stand Up’s imaginary gala dinner and to see the fantastic items on their online auction, please go to www.standup.org.au
There is also an online silent auction – check www.standup.org.au/galadinner to start bidding.
Oh yes, you can also join the function at any time to suit yourself.
Come to NYC and enjoy from dozens of gourmet kosher restaurants, over 120 establishments on Manhattan alone.
Love your sense of humour Rabbi Woolstone.