The Foothills Country Hospice’s biggest fundraiser of the year is being held this weekend.

Their Gratitude and Giving Gala is this Saturday (Oct. 28) at the Foothills Centennial Centre.

This year’s event is a Mystical Masquerade, with cocktails, a buffet dinner, a live auction, and live entertainment planned.

The recommended dress code is “semi-formal,” and guests can bring a mask to fit the theme.

It’s a significant source of annual funding for the organization, which has to raise over $1.5 million annually to offer their free services.

Last year’s event raised over $200,000.

For those who can’t attend but still want to contribute, there are a few options.

Event coordinator Robyn Alford says they’re taking wine donations.

“We’re having a wine tower that night where guests can purchase a bottle of wine. We’re looking for donated bottles of wine right now… What our guests are going to do is buy a mystery bottle, so it could be a $10 bottle of wine, it could be a $90 bottle of wine. Whatever’s in your budget, we are happy to accept. It’s like a mystery bottle of wine, you don’t know if you’re going to love it, or if you’re going to love it times two!”

Those interested can drop bottles off at the hospice before October 28, or contact Robyn at ralford@countryhospice.org

There are also sponsorship opportunities available on their website.

Alford says it’s a cause that’s not hard to get behind.

“I haven’t had someone in my family spend time in hospice, but I’ve had other people that I know in the community who have had family members in hospice, and I also knew other people who were working at the hospice. That’s how I got involved. For me, a lot of the time when I’m looking for work or projects, I’m allocating my time so that it’s for something that matters. I can’t tell you how much I love going to the hospice, the people there really truly warm your heart with the care that they give to everyone that walks through those doors.”

Ticket information can be found here.

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