Factory plans annual gala

"We are all in this journey together," stated Adam Nagle, executive director of The Factory Ministries, an organization with a mission rooted in the belief that "everyone's journey matters." As The Factory looks forward to this year's gala, the importance of recognizing the contributions of community members is foremost as organizers look to celebrate dignity and accomplishment.

The Together We Rise Factory Ministries Gala Fundraiser will be held on Tuesday, June 10, beginning at 5 p.m. at The Expo Center at Wyndham, 2300 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster. A number of activities are planned for the event, including time to network, bid on silent auction items, enjoy a dinner buffet, and visit a cash bar. At 7:30 p.m., a program featuring a speaker, live auction, and donation appeal will be held. The live appeal will be presented by auctioneer Tim Keller with the Fundraising Auction Team of Keller Auctioneers. Following that, attendees will have a chance to enjoy dessert. Live music for the gala will be provided by the Vivace String Quartet, known for playing contemporary music on a variety of string instruments. The dinner buffet will include chicken, pasta, and roasted vegetables.

Christine Schneider with Alegre Events is helping to plan the gala. She noted that organizers are hoping for a comfortable evening where guests may venture outside the main room to mingle near a water wall and around fire pits. "People will be able to enjoy desserts and coffee outside," she noted.

The silent auction will feature more than 100 items. According to Ellie Green, communications director with The Factory Ministries, the silent auction will include a four-week billboard advertisement - valued at more than $2,400 - branded dispensers, and other products from Bevanda, local gift baskets, and experiences. Larger items will be sold at live auction.

The evening is billed as an opportunity to "hear stories of the lives transformed through the empowerment, resources, and community provided by our donors. Nagle noted that the vision is to acknowledge and celebrate how major donors have contributed to reaching Factory goals of connecting people with resources. "We are together in this work," said Nagle. "The heart of it is that things we accomplish are things (our guests at the gala) accomplish." Among the things The Factory could not make happen without area donors are a crisis housing facility at The Factory, the Pequea Valley Early Learning Center and Braves Learning Center, and the Workforce Advocacy program.

The attitude and outlook with which The Factory staff members have delivered services is another source of celebration. "I am proud of our team," noted Nagle, who relayed how another county service provider had recently complimented the organization. "He said, 'As a whole, the way you interact and treat people is dignified,'" reported Nagle. "I think that's what we're celebrating. Our staff and the community bring a dignity to the underresourced. There's a love and appreciation of the humanness." Nagle added that The Factory believes there are six primary resources - relational, emotional, financial, spiritual, physical, and intellectual. "We are built on that," he said, noting that a state of poverty is defined as the degree to which someone is going without resources.

Green said that the plan is to hold a fundraiser while conveying appreciation for the good work that has been done. "It's a celebration that will raise money for the mission," she noted.

"It's the joy of journeying together," added Nagle.

A number of table sponsorship packages are available. Individual tickets may be purchased at http://www.thefactoryministries.com by clicking on the "Gala Fundraiser" button or by calling 717-847-9982.