Common Ground's Society 3rd Annual Be The One Gala Raises Almost $250,000

“You need a larger venue” This was the sentiment held by most guests at Common Ground Society’s BE THE ONE 3nd annual Gala who rushed to purchase tickets to this highly sought after event that sold out in less than 24 hours.

Hosted by Trevor Barella and Owen Evans, two local disabled adults who are part of CGS’s public speaking group, this sold out event raised nearly $250k to support their efforts to create a kinder, more inclusive and supportive place for humans with disabilities. Special thanks goes to Senate Pro Temp Mike McGuire for being our exhilarating Auctioneer. Our speaker, Olivia Ellis was the highlight of the evening as she shared about how she wished CGS could have presented at her schools growing up and the meaning she has found in volunteering for the organization. Co-founder and COO Larkin O’Leary gave a heartfelt speech about her journey to cofounding Common Ground Society.

Saturday, April 27 at Vintner's Resort, 240 guests from all parts of the community gathered to raise their paddles for this great cause. Parents, educators, school and county administrators, doctors, school board members, CEOs, Executive Directors, disabled, non-disabled all came together for one cause: BELONGING.

“It starts with HELLO, ends with BELONGING" is the tagline created by co-founders Larkin O’Leary and Jessica Hunter.

Guests were greeted with a wine reception with wineries pouring from Bricoleur, La Creme and Sonoma Cutrer. They sipped their wine while bidding on our silent auction and being serenaded by Ryan Woodard, a local high school musician who played his guitar and sang.

Awards were given to Logan Blansette, who won our student BE THE ONE AMBASSADOR Award and Serena Makofsky, from Roseland Library who won our Community BE THE ONE AMBASSADOR Award.

Nate Seider of CaliberDJ provided music as guests finished the evening with a packed dance floor under string lights on Vintner Resorts Rose Terrace.

Special thanks to the gala committee which consists of parents of children with disabilities as well as an incredible group of event volunteers that made the night happen. The night wouldn’t have been possible without the two AmeriCorps VIP members who serve at Common Ground Society, Bella Martinez and Simone Barnard.

The gala raised almost $250k which is incredible for a 3rd year!