Pam Oleksa is dedicated to making sure everyone has access to the same kind of care her family did.

That's why Pam and her husband, Greg, are co-chairs of the Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development's annual gala.

Schreiber's 41st annual gala is scheduled for Saturday, March 8, from 5 to 10 p.m. at the DoubleTree Resort by Hilton, 2400 Willow Street Pike, Lancaster. The theme is "Havana Nights," so there will be a Cuban influence, including some Cuban ideas infused into the food.

Local organizations purchase sponsorships, which is a main source of revenue. Schreiber's Hero sponsors are Faulkner, Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, Highmark/PennState Health, and Miter Foundation. There will be silent and live auction items, including a seven-day trip to Africa. A DJ will supply music.

The inaugural Philanthropist Award will be presented to Dr. Samuel and Dena Lombardo, huge financial supporters of Schreiber for many years and key supporters of a recent expansion.

A highlight of the gala is the unveiling of the yearly Schreiber Ambassadors, who share their stories of perseverance.

Visit https://schreiberpediatric.org for more information or to purchase tickets to the gala. Tickets may be purchased until Friday, Feb. 14, or until they are sold out. Donations may be made up to March 10.

Pam and Greg, the latter of whom has been a board member for eight years, are in their third year as gala co-chairs. Their older son, Alex, went to Schreiber for 18 years. "That's one of the reasons we're involved," Pam said.

Alex graduated from Temple University. Now 30 years old, he works as an architect. "Alex has physical disabilities, so Schreiber was who we went to for speech, physical and occupational therapy, and that's what helped him to be able to go to college and be independent," said Pam. "That's why my husband and I have an affiliation with them, to give back to an organization that gave to us for so many years."

The Oleksas feel companionship with other families that have the same need. "That's now our goal as parents, to give back to other families, so they, too, can have the same opportunities with their child to be an independent person in the community, living independently," Pam said.

The entire family is involved. All three children are Hempfield High School graduates. The Oleksas' daughter, Ashley, a teacher who was inspired by Alex's journey, is on the gala committee. The younger son, Nick, lives in Dallas but is returning home to attend the gala.

"It's our family mission to support this wonderful organization," Pam said. "And we have a ton of friends who support us in this mission, some on the board and committee."

The gala is a major fundraiser for Schreiber. "The reason that we do the gala every year is we're trying to make up for the $2.5 million deficit for services that are provided to the 2,000 children who receive services every year," Pam said. "Our goal is to provide services to as many children as possible, even if they don't have any ability to pay, their parents don't have the ability to pay. We still want to provide care to those children."

Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development, 625 Community Way, Lancaster, provides occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech, day care, infant care, and preschool for children with developmental disabilities, developmental delays, or acquired injuries.

"We have such an outpouring of support from the community," said Pam. "The generosity of our community been amazing the last two years my husband and I have chaired."

Pam says the committee is hoping to have 400 individuals attend the event. "Our gala has continued to grow," said Pam. "We were at a smaller venue two years ago. Last year, we were at the Imperial for our 40th. We needed to find a larger venue. It's just been very positive, the growth."

Pam also credits the Schreiber fund development team consisting of Danielle Sunday and Kristen Masengard. "There is a team of committee members who play a huge role in gathering sponsorships, silent auction items, and live auction items, which are the things that make our event a success," Pam said. "The big thing is we're so fortunate our local community supports the needs of the local children. Every year, it's heartwarming for me to see that outpouring of support."