Planting Hope Gala

Plant With Purpose is gearing up for our annual Planting Hope Gala! The event will once again take place at the La Jolla Marriott on October 10, 2009 at 6:00 p.m., and will be hosted by former NBC 7 morning news anchor, Bill Menish.

Beyond being our biggest fundraising event of the year, the gala is an opportunity for us to highlight our programs and share Plant With Purpose’s restorative work and success. And this year is going to be a huge celebration as we recognize our 25^th anniversary!

In honor of this milestone, Cesar Lopez, one of the founders of Plant With Purpose, will travel from the Dominican Republic to give a special presentation. The evening will also include silent and live auctions, including a "Fund-a-Need" opportunity where participants can directly support program needs such as reforestation efforts, mushroom projects, cisterns and latrines, and animal husbandry.

Some of our auction items include golfing and lunch at the Bridges Golf Club, an extravagant facial package at Neiman Marcus, several spectacular ski packages, ancient coins, and gift certificates to local San Diego attractions. All proceeds will go toward helping to transform thelives of the rural poor in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Thailand, Mexico, Burundi and Tanzania.

The gala is an excellent opportunity to invite friends and family to learn more about Plant With Purpose’s restorative work. Tickets are $105, and various sponsorship opportunities are available.

All guests who r.s.v.p. by September 21st will be entered into a drawing to win four tickets to the San Diego Repertory Theater! We hope you will be able to join us for this elegant and inspiring evening.

To r.s.v.p. online, please visit http://www.floresta.org/gala2009/index.html. If you wish to donate a tax-deductible item to the auction, volunteer, or be a sponsor, contact Kate McElhinney at (858) 274-3728 or kate@floresta.org.