Sarnia-Lambton Rebound has announced plans for its 22nd Hearts for Youth Gala next year.
Fund Development and Marketing Coordinator Anita Minielly said they're proceeding with "cautious optimism" to hold the event Saturday, February 12, 2022.
"We wanted to be one of the first ones out of the gate, so we booked a date, and it's exciting to have something to actually plan," said Minielly.
She said all charities and not-for-profits have experienced or postponed fundraising events due to the pandemic, so they've worked that into their planning.
"The Sunbridge Hotel will do an amazing job. We've got a buffet, we've got a live band booked. We're proceeding with plan A, but we have plan B just in case we have to switch gears and need to make it more virtual."
Minielly thinks people are ready to get dressed up, leave their house and have a nice evening out.
"[The gala] will be scaled back a little bit in numbers, because we want to be respectful of everybody's cohort. So the tables will be reduced and we'll be focusing on table sponsorships, and bigger sponsorships, as opposed to individual tickets."
Rebound hosted a sold-out crowd of 350 people in 2020 before the first COVID-19 lockdown occurred.
$83,000 for youth programming in the Sarnia-Lambton community was raised that year.
Minielly said they'll be reaching out to past sponsors, supporters, and donors, but anyone else interested can contact her at 519-344-2841.
