Seeds of Change Gala raises more than $70K

The 17^th Annual Seeds of Change Gala at Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino Saturday evening raised more than $70,000 to support its charity beneficiary, Against Abuse, Inc.

“Currently we are at $70,000, which I’m so pleased with,” Torri Anderson, the event chair and an AAI board member said. “Our community truly is amazing.”

The event brought about 400 people to the main ballroom at Harrah’s Ak-Chin, where they enjoyed cocktails, dancing, dining and live entertainment. The theme of the event was “An Elegant Black and White Affair,” and guests dressed in black and white ensembles ranging from jeans to tuxedos

Some accommodations were made for COVID-19. Silent auction bidding was done through an app rather than writing offers on bid sheets, and the live auction was eliminated, replaced by a performance by Phoenix-based magician Eric Gilliam.

Anderson said these accommodations just made sense, even as the effects of the pandemic are waning, but she wanted to be sure attendees, sponsors and donors felt they were getting a great evening.

“People want value even if they are giving,” Anderson said. “So, I get it, we needed to give them something for their money.”

The community’s generosity benefits Against Abuse, a private non-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals and the community to understand the nature and effects of family violence and the resources available to meet the needs of those abused. The organization has provided social services in Pinal County since 1981.

Torri Anderson, the co-chair of the event, said the services provided by Against Abuse are invaluable in the community.

“When I first got involved with them, the only shelter was in Casa Grande,” Anderson said. “Against Abuse provides a place where women can go with their whole family as a place to recover. They let mothers bring all their kids up to age 18, both male and female, because they realize the whole family needs counseling.

“It’s about healing the whole family, not just providing a sleepover,” she added. “They are helping heal dysfunction and breaking the cycle of abuse.”

Against Abuse also has taken a proactive role in providing a family focused, culturally sensitive continuum of prevention and intervention services to individuals and families in need of services.

Seeds of Change Gala

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