Whether you want to go out or stay in, you can support Brittany's Hope when the nonprofit holds its annual gala, Brittany's Ball. The festivities will include an in-person event on Saturday, April 11, from 5 to 10 p.m. at the Star Barn at Stone Gables Estate, 1 Hollinger Lane, Elizabethtown. The fundraiser will also include an online auction that will run from now through April 11 at 8 p.m.

"The theme of the gala is 'Welcome Home,'" said Dana Myers, director of charitable giving for Brittany's Hope, an organization that supports orphaned and at-risk children. "When guests arrive, they will be greeted with doors showcasing a few of the 1,617 children who have been welcomed home. There is a silent/online auction during the cocktail hour."

Guests will then be welcomed upstairs to an elegant dinner and multifaceted presentation, featuring Bryan Stevenson of Red Beard Soul singing "Welcome Home."

"In addition, children and young adults who are now home due in part because of the generosity of the people in the room will be joining in the celebration," Myers said. "The featured speaker will be the Smith family, who welcomed home Mimi in December of last year. Guests at last year's gala helped to make her homecoming possible. Seeing their family and hearing their story will be a phenomenal testament to the power of the miracles that occur when we come together to achieve a goal."

The gala will also feature opportunities to bid on live auction packages, as well as Mission Moments, which include bringing another child home, college scholarships and home builds to keep families together, she said.

For the online auction, anyone can participate from anywhere, Myers said.

"There are fabulous items available, from an exclusive weekend couple's retreat, wonderful spa and beauty packages and a Garmin watch, to foursomes of golf at the Hershey and Lebanon country clubs, fantastic area dining experiences from casual to elegant, wine and alcohol baskets, a Rocky Bleier autographed football and even a hot air balloon ride," she stated.

Funds raised through the gala and auction will support the work of Brittany's Hope, an Elizabethtown-based nonprofit.

"One hundred percent of the proceeds of the evening go directly to support the orphaned and abandoned children we serve through adoption grants to families with the heart to adopt children with special needs and to support the children in our partner children's homes," Myers said. "(This allows) even children who have not been adopted to be 'Welcomed Home' into a loving family environment, complete with love, education, fun and people who care for and want the best for each child."

She added that almost everything is donated for the gala and auction, which makes it more challenging to coordinate the event but also more meaningful.

"(It) isn't the easiest way to put on a gala and auction, but when you're there and feel the pride of knowing that all these people are here for the children, it's very impactful," Myers said. "Even though Brittany's Hope is a rather small nonprofit in E-town, we are working to solve the orphan crisis through education so that students graduate with careers to break the cycle of poverty."

She encourages people to get tickets for the gala, noting that seats are filling up quickly. Tickets will be available at http://brittanyshope.org/events/brittanysball until sold out.

She also hopes people will join in the fun of the online auction, whether they attend the gala or not, adding that the auction will feature a wide variety of items.

"The committee, led by chairs Teresa Roda and Kim Wenger, and our entire community pulled together to secure highly sought-after items and special 'treat yourself' experiences," she said. "And when you win the bid, not only do you win, but the orphaned children who Brittany's Hope supports are the true winners."

To access the online auction, visit https://bit.ly/470WgXt.