CHR’s annual gala to raise funding for affordable housing on the islands
The deadline for tickets is approaching for a Community Housing & Resources (CHR) fundraiser.
CHR will host its Give Your Art To CHR on Feb. 1 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at The Community House on Sanibel. It will feature live and silent auctions for artwork, a raffle drawing, paddle raise and more.
“The annual gala is a fundraiser for operations and the rebuilding of Riverview,” Executive Director Nicole Decker-McHale said, explaining that the building was demolished due to Hurricane Ian.
She continued that CHR had planned to replace the structure with a two-story building with 10 one-bedroom units, plus eight en suite units over parking. However, their plans have since changed.
“We have an immediate need for housing,” Decker-McHale said of the further impacts to affordable housing on the islands following last season’s hurricanes. “We redrew the plans with our architect.”
The new plans consist of one building with 15 one-bedroom, one-bath units.
At the gala, a gallery of artwork created and donated by local artists will be up for auction.
“Since the city is celebrating 50 years and CHR is celebrating 45 years, the artists were asked to create something to go along with the theme of the anniversaries,” she said.
The contributing artists include Stephanie Austin Anderson, Shane Antalick, Laura Ball, Suzanne G. Bennett, Alex Bustamante, Antonia Catherine Crook, Ginny Dickinson, Mary K. Donahoe, Sherry Fonseth-Lais, Tim Garmager, Vicki Green, Lafe James, Mally Khorasantchi, Mary H. Klunk, Skyler Lowden, Taryn Manning, Candi Maraldi, Kym Mason, Barb Nicholson, Myra Robert, Jacqueline Roch, Ed Saternus, Dave Smith and Toni Westland.
“We have photography and we have paintings,” Decker-McHale said.
Eric Pfeifer will emcee the evening, with Rachel Pierce serving as the auctioneer. The city’s first mayor, Porter Goss, will speak and a video, “A Year In The Life Of CHR,” will be shown. She noted that it showcases various CHR residents, some of which will share their stories at the fundraiser.
The silent auction features about 20 pieces; online bidding is currently open.
“So many homeowners have lost their homes or renovated,” Decker-McHale said, referring to the storms. “It’s an opportunity to purchase artwork to redecorate their home, while giving back.”
A handful of pieces will be up for grabs in the live auction.
“The pieces were chosen at random,” she said.
There will be a paddle raise specifically to raise funds for Riverview.
“We have raised over $4 million, but we do need to raise over $7 million,” Decker-McHale said. “So we do need another $3 million.”
The gala will also feature a raffle drawing for artwork. She explained that the pieces were either donated after the submission deadline or they were additional pieces donated by the artists.
The raffle tickets are $100 each.
“We’ll have heavy appetizers catered by Artichoke and Company,” Decker-McHale said, adding that there will be an open full bar, along with non-alcoholic beverages. “There’ll be drinks available.”
Tickets to the fundraiser cost $150 per person. They will be available through Jan. 30.
The community is invited to secure theirs.
“We serve the people that are serving the community. That is your first responders, your teachers, your island workers, your retail, restaurant, nonprofit, city employees, bank employees,” she said. “Most important is that 35% of our residents do not own a vehicle, which is why we need housing on Sanibel. They bike and they walk to work.”
In addition to accepting bids for the silent auction, the gala website offers a preview of the live auction, along with a “Buy It Now” option. For more information, visit https://sancapchr.org/give-your-art/.
For questions, visit online or contact Decker-McHale at 239-565-6663.
The Community House is at 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.
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IF YOU GO
What
Give Your Art To CHR
When
Feb. 1 from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
Where
The Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel
Details
Tickets are $150 per person