Cupid’s arrow found its mark last Saturday at a sizzling Valentine Ball, clearly touching the hearts of guests who raised more than $200,000 to support United Against Poverty and its programs, which provide a foundation to empower people to transition from poverty to self-sufficiency.
The glamorous crowd at the Oak Harbor Club quite literally sparkled; both in their elegant gowns and dapper tuxedos, and with their enthusiasm for the successful organization, founded in 2003 by Ginny and Austin Hunt.
“We’re fire and ice; that’s the theme,” laughed Gina Johnson, looking lovely in a glittery white gown as she referenced her event co-chair Trude See, wearing a stylish, fiery red gown. “We thought that sizzle might be a dynamic that works, and fire and ice creates sizzle,” See explained.
From the fire dancers at the entry and flashing ice cubes in the evening’s signature “fire and ice” drinks, to the gorgeous, frosty ice-gel centerpieces topped with red-hued floral arrangements by Fé Domenech, the evening was the epitome of elegance. Throughout the event, guests bid on a large selection of silent- and live-auction items, dined on a sumptuous gourmet dinner, and enjoyed listening and dancing to wonderful music by Pangea.
But despite the glam, the true focus was on the mission of UP and the people it inspires, such as Jacqueline Charles, who shared how her life and that of her whole family has been transformed. With help from UP and its STEP program (Success Training for Employment Program), Charles is now employed full-time and is a Habitat for Humanity homeowner.
“They were so welcoming; they made me feel it was OK to break down that wall that I had built up,” she said. “I started to learn a lot about me as a person, as a mom. Once I got into the STEP classes, I learned about self-awareness and everything else fell into place. They gave me self-confidence and kept my spirit alive. I learned that I can do anything I want to in life.”
Austin Hunt introduced honorary event chairs Pam Harmon and Tim Muris, crediting the couple as having a tremendous impact on the organization, particularly through their financial support of programs and their commitment to help UP expand its operation. Muris has introduced them to Washington, D.C. policy influencers and to a national venture philanthropy group, and Harmon, a board member, was the mastermind behind the Valentine Ball four years ago.
“Pam will be co-chairing the building committee of our new Gateway Center which, when completed, we believe will have a material impact on poverty and unemployment in our community,” said Hunt.
“Everything about this organization resonates with us,” said Harmon. “This model works.”
Board Chairwoman Barbara Lowry led a hugely fruitful appeal for donations toward the $1,000-per-person tuition needed to fund 100 students in the STEP program, noting that all of the 100 people who graduated the last three-phase program are currently employed.
“What makes UP so unique is that rather than treat the symptoms of poverty, we actually have a plan to lift people out of poverty,” stressed Lowry. “Our goal is to make people self-sufficient. We provide the ladder, but our students do the climbing.”
For more information, visit upirc.org.
