Gift program set at Harris Pavilion

By BENNIE SCARTON JR.

bscarton@manassasjm.com

Tickets are still available for the yearly gala to support the Un Trim A Tree Holiday Gift Program to be conducted on July 26 from 7 to 11 pm. at the Loy E. Harris Pavilion in Old Town Manassas.

The evening will consist of passed hors d'oeuvres, cash bar, seated dinner catered by FPR Catering, dancing and music by the St. Thom Cats.

The event will have a large raffle offering dozens of chances to win fun-donated items in a Chinese auction format for such things as handmade jewelry, dinner for two, rounds of golf, art items and limo ride to wine vineyards.

Additionally, the group will take the top five items and have a live auction. These might include a timeshare week in the Outer Banks in October, a timeshare anywhere in the world for two, two tickets on AirTran to anywhere, and an evening with a personal chef.

Tickets are $60 each. Sponsorships are also available.

The "Christmas in July" program is celebrating its 20th year of service to the community. Each year, the organization receives the names of children from all three Department of Social Services (Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas) as well as children from SERVE Inc., ACTS and Head Start. The chil-dren's wishes are then matched with donors from the community.

The donor base continues to be more than 50 local churches, businesses and private residents. Proceeds from the Christmas in July event will pay for last minute gifts for children who have fallen through the cracks or very new to the social services system.

Last year, the organization provided gifts to more than 5,200 eligible needy children, 300 isolated senior citizens as well as personal care products for the area homeless shelters.

"The downturn in the economy affects all but we are anticipating a significant impact on those low income families that are served by the social services and so the success of this event will directly affect our ability to served the kids in December. Please join us for a fun evening for a great cause by calling the Voluntary Action Center at 703-369-5292, ext 207 to purchase your tickets today," said Mary Foley, executive director, the Voluntary Action Center.

She said this is the only large gift program that supports the program.

"Chances are if you have supported a gift program at your church, you have participated in the Un Trim A Tree Program," Foley concluded.

Staff writer Bennie Scarton Jr. can be reached at 703-369-6707.