Last fiscal year, Elizabethtown Community Housing and Outreach Services (ECHOS) provided services to more than 880 households in the northwest region of Lancaster County, said Natalie Dixon, development director for the Elizabethtown-based nonprofit. All services are provided free of charge to clients.

You can help support the mission of ECHOS by attending the ECHOS of Hope Gala. The event will take place on Saturday, April 13, at Brossman Ballroom at Masonic Villages, 71 Freemason Drive, from 6 to 10 p.m.

The evening will begin with a cocktail hour and silent auction, Dixon noted. "The cocktail hour will also feature a fun photo booth sponsored by FX Photo Booths," she said. "There will be hors d'oeuvres as well as an open bar sponsored by Grandview Vineyard."

The event will also feature the second year of the Champagne & Diamonds activity. Sponsored by Andrew Douglas Jewelers, this portion of the evening will include a champagne wall filled with 100 glasses. "Ninety-nine of the glasses will hold a cubic zirconia and one will have a real diamond," Dixon shared. "A qualified jeweler will be on-hand to inspect the gems and find the lucky winner of the real diamond. The winner will be announced later in the evening and will be able to exchange their diamond for a piece of jewelry valued at $2,500 to $3,000."

Dinner will be catered by WGC Catering and the keynote speech will be delivered by Kevin Ressler, president and CEO at Alliance for Health Equity. "He has an extensive background in nonprofits, health equity and a passion for social justice," Dixon commented. "He is an accomplished speaker who commands an audience with enthusiasm and real-world experience."

Dixon added that this year's ECHOS of Hope Gala will feature a paddle raise by well-known, local auctioneer Jeff Heisey before the evening wraps up with music by local DJ Dennis Mitchell, dancing and dessert.

"The gala's fundraising efforts help support the Elizabethtown Emergency Shelter, Enrichment Center, supportive housing programs, eviction prevention, as well as additional programs and services offered by ECHOS," Dixon explained. "ECHOS strives to actively prevent homelessness, or at least make experiences of it brief and non-recurring, by providing community members experiencing housing insecurity and poverty with case management and advocacy, information and referrals to other community providers, and emergency shelter in some instances."

She encourages everyone to attend the gala, noting, "The ECHOS of Hope Gala is an opportunity for supporters and friends to give back to our community members who are working toward stability in the areas of housing, employment and wellness. The gala supports ECHOS' programs in our continued mission to prevent and alleviate poverty and empower stability in our neighbors."

Dixon thanked Legacy Maker Sponsor DDMP Investment Advisors, Dream Maker Sponsor Greg and Gina Holsinger and Blessing Maker Sponsor Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, as well as other contributing sponsors. She added that sponsorships are still being accepted with commitments due by Friday, March 8, to be included in event materials.

The ticket purchase deadline for the gala is Friday, March 29, but tickets are limited, so Dixon encourages purchasing early. Tickets may be purchased at https://echoslancaster.org/events/gala or by contacting Dixon at dixonn@echoslancaster.org.