Gala auction to benefit Family Service Center

GALVESTON — Masks decorated by area artists will be among the items auctioned off to benefit the Family Service Center at its Connections of the Heart Gala on Feb. 3.

The masks will be table centerpieces at the event, appropriate décor for the theme of “Celebrate Carnival.”

More than 75 artists, including art teachers, students, photographers, sculptors and painters, donated their skills for the project.

“This is the first year we’ve done this,” said Shannon Guillot, community liaison at the Family Service Center. “It’s been a really fun project and turned out much, much more amazing than we could ever have imagined.”

For 10 years now, the gala has served as a major fundraiser for the Family Service Center agency. This year’s program features live music, live and silent auctions, dinner and dancing at the Davidson Ballroom at the Tremont House in Galveston.

“The gala really helps us close the gap between anticipated costs and the actual costs of running the program that we do every year,” Julie Purser, FSC executive director, said. “This is wonderful to be able to have something like this where people can learn about our agency and learn about the good work that we do.”

The history of the Family Service Center dates back to 1914 with an initiative to provide counseling, education and related social services. Clients served today range from families and individuals to at-risk-youth.

“We’ve continued to keep the mission and spirit of our agency alive in the work we do every day,” Purser said. “We’re really valuing our families and doing what we can to treat their needs in ways that are readily accessible and are respectful of them.”

Agency programs that have grown in the past year include:

• Community Support Services allow counselors to fan out to easily accessible areas in the county to offer help.

“Basically we’ve kind of taken our show on the road,” Purser said. “We take what we do best, our counseling services, and offer them out in the community.”

Locations have included St. Vincent’s House, Galveston Housing Authority units and several area schools.

• A new Dickinson office at Amegy Bank offers more centralized services for mainland residents.

• The expansion of telepsychiatry services helps connect psychiatrists with patients by using a Webcam and high-speed Internet service.

• The Digital Story Telling Project provides a therapeutic way for residents to record their stories.

“This is a chance for self-appraisal and to look back at your life,” said Guillot, who directs the project. “You leave a legacy, even if you’re only a teenager.”

• Guillot often prompts participants by asking, “Can you think of a couple of moments in your life that you’re the most proud of?”

• This year’s gala will spotlight such FSC programs but will also focus on volunteers in the Galveston community.

“The Family Service Center vision has to do with strengthening families and supporting communities,” Purser said. “We look for couples in our community who really live that vision.”

• This year’s honorees are Jimmy and Jane Hayley of Texas City; Vic and Janice Pierson of Jamaica Beach; and Drs. Ben and Sharon Raimer of Galveston.

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At A Glance

WHAT: Family Service Center 10th annual Connections of the Heart Gala dinner and auction with the theme “Celebrate Carnival.” Alligator Handshake will provide live music. Lisa Gay will auction off more than 100 masks crafted and donated by local artists, including Rene Wiley, Catherine Stroud, Edward Drozdik and Ann Wood. Other silent and live auction items will also be up for bid.

WHERE: Davidson Ballroom at Tremont House, 2300 Ship’s Mechanic Row, in Galveston

WHEN: 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday

WHO: Proceeds benefit the Family Service Center of Galveston County, a private, nonprofit agency providing counseling, education and related social services in Galveston County with programs impacting Chambers and Liberty counties. The center’s assignments range from family and individual counseling to programs for at-risk youth.

TICKETS: www.fsc-galveston.org/gala.htm or call the FSC office, 409-762-8636.

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Details To Note

Opportunities for Gala sponsorships include “Ace of Hearts” — $10,000 or more (two tables plus recognition in all event and FSC web advertisements); “King of Hearts” — $5,000 or more (one table plus recognition in all event advertisements); “Queen of Hearts” — $1,000 or more (one table); “Jack of Hearts” — $500 or more (four seats); or “Pair of Hearts” — $250 or more (two seats).

For information on the Family Service Center programs or volunteer opportunities, visit www.fsc-galveston.org, call 409-762-8636 or visit its Facebook page, www.facebook.com/fscgalveston.