Western North Carolina AIDS Project benefit auction, Sept. 26

The Western North Carolina AIDS Project will host the annual Raise Your Hand Benefit Auction & Gala at 6 p.m. on Saturday, September 26th at the Asheville Event Centre. The event will help raise funds for the Western North Carolina AIDS Project to continue work in WNC. Dinner options include a choice between No Evil Foods Setian Marsala, Crab Stuffed Salmon or Braised Brasstown Beef Short Rib. Tickets cost $125 and are available through www.wncapgala.org.

From Western North Carolina AIDS Project

Press Release

WNCAP is gearing up for the annual Raise Your Hand Auction & Gala with an impressive line-up of auction treasures, celebrities, fine cuisine, and much, much more! The well attended and celebrated event will be held on Saturday, September 26th at the Asheville Event Centre on Sweeten Creek Road.
Andrew Brunk of Brunk Auctions will once again take the stage and entice the expected crowd of nearly 300 people to bid top dollar to help WNCAP raise much-needed funds to continue their work of HIV services throughout Western North Carolina. Andrew Brunk is President of Brunk Auctions and has supported WNCAP’s Raise Your Hand Auction for 3 years, raising more than $195,000.00 for the agency.
The 2015 Signature Piece winner, Cindy Walton from the River Arts District. Walton’s winning piece of art, “In Flight” is a 36 x 36 oil and cold wax abstract filled with energy and vivid colors. The Signature Piece of art is sure to be the highlight of the live auction. The first runner up for the juried competition was Mark Henry for his framed oil on panel, “Cregg Farms, SC” and 2nd runner up was Linda McCane Gritta for her acrylic and mixed media on canvas, “State of Wonder III”. These paintings along with an extensive collection of auction items including local art, antiques, vacation packages, fine wines, are available for viewing on WNCAP’s on-line gallery at www.wncapgala.org
Emmy Nominated Kat Williams, 2015 Honorary Chair. “Kat is a longtime supporter of WNCAP and an advocate for those living with HIV/AIDS, as well as a strong supporter of WNCAP’s mission to prevent new cases of HIV throughout our region. Kat is best known for her beautiful voice and inspiring music – she uses that voice not only to entertain, but to help us build a better community” states Pam Siekman, WNCAP’s Chairperson for the Raise Your Hand Fundraiser

Strada Italiano to Cater the Raise Your Hand Gala. Guests attending the event will be wowed by Chef Anthony Cerrato’s exquisite menu prepared especially for WNCAP. An evening filled with fine foods, including Strada’s famous Tuscan Stuffed Figs as appetizers, and outstanding dinner entrée choices from the sea, delicious beef or a vegetarian option. You can view longtime friend and supporter Chef Cerrato’s complete menu at www.wncapgala.org
“We are addressing a new wave of the HIV epidemic today, one that impacts young people and minorities in greater numbers.” states WNCAP’s Executive Director Jeff Bachar. “The CDC reports that 1.2 million people are living with HIV in our country; of those, 1 in 7 don’t even know they are infected. And only 3 out of 10 people have the virus under control. At WNCAP we have the tools to end new infections, to support those living with the disease through our team of Case Managers, and to address the root causes of the disease. We just need the resources and funding to expand our work” says Bachar.
Tickets for this exciting event are $125.00 per person and are available at www.wncapgala.org or by calling 828-252-7489.