Sept. 4 Davis Gala to help homeless

LAYTON — The annual Davis Gala is just less than a month away from opening its doors to welcome more than 600 people who will help purchase a housing complex for the homeless in Davis County.

The black-tie gala, held every year since 2004 when the Davis Conference Center first opened, has become a signature fundraising event in Davis County.

Past beneficiaries have been the Davis County Children's Justice Center, Hill Air Force Base and the arts of Davis County.

Organizers expect to raise tens of thousands of dollars to help a cause that's often overlooked in Davis County.

"Most people don't believe that we have a homeless problem in Davis County. They are wrong," said Commissioner Louenda Downs in a news release.

In January, at a Farmington meeting of homeless advocates, Downs called the problem alarming and called for more to be done.

That was around the time the Davis Gala organizers had started booking country music star Collin Raye for a performance at the Sept. 4 event and had decided that proceeds would be donated to homeless in Davis County.

Specifically, the proceeds will benefit Davis Behavioral Health's "Homes for the Homeless" program.

The housing complex Davis Behavioral Health wants to purchase will help homeless residents as they search for jobs, advance their education and learn life skills to help them out of homelessness.

Community members may donate to the gala in various ways. Table sponsorships are available for $1,500, as well as individual seats for $125. Event sponsorships are also available at four funding levels. A silent auction will also be held during the gala.

So far, 60 tables have been sponsored, said Kent Sulser, Davis County's manager of economic development.

"It's another just cause," Sulser said.

The gala will be held at the recently expanded Davis Conference Center's 42,000-square-foot exposition space, which opened May 2.

A major piece of artwork by Clinton artist Brent Brimhall also will be unveiled at the gala. The multipanel piece, which depicts Antelope Island at sunset, will be displayed in the expansion's front hallway.

For more information, or to sponsor the gala or a table or to purchase individual tickets, call Davis County Community and Economic Development at 801-451-3278.

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E-mail: jdougherty@desnews.com