Chamber Foundation's Holiday Gala Returns Dec. 11 to Mohegan Sun

Bottomless Champagne, Dinner & Dessert Buffet, Live & Silent Auctions Highlight Regional Favorite Event 
Funds Raised Support Children’s Charities Throughout Eastern CT
 
Eastern CT – The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT Foundation has announced that it will hold its 32nd Annual Holiday Gala at Mohegan Sun’s Convention Center on Fri. Dec. 11, 2015 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $95 per person and are available from the Chamber of Commerce’s website at www.ChamberECT.com or can be ordered directly at (860) 701-9113.
 
The Chamber Foundation’s Holiday Gala is one of the region’s favorite ways to ring in the holiday season. It is made possible through the generous support of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Backus Hospital, People’s United Bank, the Mohegan Tribe, Family First Life, The Day Publishing Company, and many more regional businesses.
 
Funds raised at the Gala support children’s and family services throughout eastern CT. Proceeds are distributed to over 25 regional non-profit organizations every year, which fund youth employment programs; help provide childcare; assist in child development programs; keep local families with children from becoming homeless; and make much-needed items accessible to families who could not otherwise afford them, including carseats, winter clothing, backpacks and school supplies, musical instruments, toys, games, and books.
 
“The Holiday Gala is one of the most important events that the Chamber and the Foundation organize,” said Tony Sheridan, President & CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT. “Many of the region’s charities depend on the funds raised by the Foundation at the Holiday Gala in order to continue providing their services year-round. The Holiday Gala gives guests the chance to make our region’s children’s lives better while enjoying a fun night out at Mohegan Sun.”
 
The 32nd Annual Holiday Gala begins with a cocktail hour reception at 5:30 p.m. featuring hors d’oeuvres and bottomless champagne. Guests will have the opportunity to bid in one of the region’s largest silent auctions during the reception or participate in a “wine pull,” where for $20 cash, they can randomly select a wrapped “mystery bottle” worth up to $90 to take home.
 
The cocktail hour is followed by an enticing dinner and dessert buffet catered by Mohegan Sun’s culinary team. Afterward, an exciting live auction commences led by professional auctioneer Sam Piotrkowski and the evening’s Master of Ceremonies Kevin Hogan of “Channel 3 Eyewitness News.”
 
Guests at the Holiday Gala can bid on auction items ranging from tickets to “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” to a one week stay in a 3-bedroom villa in Playa Junquillal, Costa Rica. Other items include box seats to a Red Sox vs Yankees game at Boston’s Fenway Park, HDTVs, gift baskets, jewelry, golf outings, gift certificates to eastern CT restaurants and attractions, and much more.
 
Proceeds from the 32nd Annual Holiday Gala’s auctions remain local and help the Chamber Foundation enhance and enrich education and economic opportunities in eastern CT. Since 2002, the Foundation has raised over $1,000,000 to distribute to children’s and family social service agencies in the region.
 
Visit www.ChamberECT.com/gala or call the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT office at (860) 701-9113 to learn more about the Holiday Gala and purchase tickets. Payment is requested in advance. Follow the Chamber’s Facebook and Twitter pages to find more Holiday Gala event and auction item information.

About the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut Foundation:
Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut Foundation, a business community-based 501(c)(3) foundation affiliated with the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut, is dedicated to promoting initiatives that enhance and enrich education and economic opportunities in the Chamber service area.  www.ChamberECT.com/foundation 
 
About the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut:
The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut is a collaborative of business and community leaders dedicated to securing and enhancing the economic vitality of eastern Connecticut. The Chamber works to create value for its members and the region by providing forums for business networking, leadership and discussions of issues that affect the region; providing opportunities for members to showcase their products, services and accomplishments; helping small businesses succeed through educational programs; and working to reduce the costs of doing business in Connecticut.  For more information, visit www.ChamberECT.com