Media Release
Date: 5 October 2024
Media Contact:
Second Annual STEP VA Gala Tops First-Year Fundraising Bar
FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA—Despite storms that marked Hurricane Helene's landfall in the area, 175 people gathered under the tents at Arbor Haven Weddings & Events venue on Friday, September 27, for the second annual fundraising gala for STEP VA Inc. More than 50% of the attendees were new to STEP VA, the local 501(c)3 non-profit that “empowers people with disabilities, and their families, through sensory exploration and creative expression.”
The gala serves as one of the organization's two big fundraising endeavors each year, and this year's event brought in more than $60,000, nearly $10,000 more than the 2023 event.
The crowd was treated to music by Elby Brass, the local street brass band, as well as a performance by the STEP VA's All Abilities Choir.
“Our choir truly represented every single aspect of STEP VA: Our singers included participants, parents, grandparents, siblings, volunteers, staff, board, donors and sponsors of this organization. To me, that type of representation says a lot about our programs and how committed we all are to accessibility in the arts for everyone,” said Carol Yeh, choir co-founder and director. “It was an honor to stand with this group and perform songs that really resonate with our organization & our mission. The first song was about independence and self-determination while our second was about community and the strength we derive from each other.”
Jan Monroe, executive director of STEP VA, noted that many returning donors have indicated an interest in being more involved with the organization, in addition to monetary donations. As Monroe notes, time is just as valuable as financial support.
For more information, or to support STEP VA Inc., please visit www.stepva.org.
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STEP VA, Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit organization that provides sensory-based theater and arts programs for individuals with disabilities. Its vision is to transform the world by offering each individual the opportunity to flourish in the community.