Empathy and empowerment. Care management and case management. Life-skill training and independence promotion.

United Disabilities Services (UDS) does work worth celebrating.

"UDS serves with a lot of programs, and one of the most visible is service dogs," said Angela Trout, the annual gifts and events officer for UDS. "Many people come to us through service dogs. Our mission is enhancing abilities and changing lives. We help people gain independence and help people stay in their homes longer. Some of our programs are expensive to run because we provide quality services to our clients. It's important to support the work we do."

UDS Foundation, the fundraising arm of UDS, will present this year's edition of its annual gala from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 30, at the Marriott Lancaster Penn Square, 25 S. Queen St., Lancaster. While it is UDS' largest fundraising event, the festive gala will celebrate the organization's 61st anniversary and serve as community outreach for what UDS does and what it's all about.

UDS is headquartered at 2270 Erin Court, Lancaster.

"A gala is a grand celebration," said Trout. "It's more than a cocktail party. It is a fundraising event, but it's elevated. It's somewhat elegant, but not stuffy. Our gala ties in our mission to reinforce why visitors are there. They are the champions of what we do."

That evening of April 30th will begin with mingling and hors d'oeuvres, and dinner will be served around 6 p.m. The event will include testimonials from UDS clients and volunteers.

WGAL's Michael Fuller and Philadelphia Eagles insider Dave Spadaro will be the masters of ceremonies for the gala, but the highlight of the evening will be an appearance by personable Phillies legend John Kruk. Amid a fireside chat setting, Spadaro will interview Kruk, who is expected to spin his entertaining trademark yarns, share career highlights and relay accounts of personal challenges.

"The atmosphere is electric," said Trout, a resident of Akron. "People are so excited to be there. It's a really fun vibe. It's a very welcoming and interesting experience. In Lancaster, we don't get a lot of opportunities to see big Philly sports stars. There's a huge Eagles fanbase here."

The UDS gala will also include live and silent auctions featuring entertainment packages, trips, experiences, donations from Eagles stars Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts and an autographed football from Eagles lineman Lane Johnson. All of the auction items can be viewed at https://udservices.org.

"The gala has definitely grown over the years," said Trout. "It has brought in so many new donors. The goal is to meet new people. Some people are still discovering who we are and what we do. We try to keep them involved throughout the year, and many times they become friends."

Nearly 500 supporters, clients and their friends and families, volunteers and community members are expected to attend the UDS gala. The local nonprofit has secured the support - financial and otherwise - of 45 sponsors.

"A large majority of guests are from Lancaster County, and some come with our sponsors," said Trout. "They're people who know us very well. We have a lot of new friends coming. We have people coming to see John Kruk."

Event officials are hoping this year's UDS gala will raise $300,000.

"We have 15 programs at UDS, and we serve over 15,000 people in 52 counties in Pennsylvania," said Trout. "The money will go toward supporting those programs."

Founded in 1965, UDS serves individuals 18 and older with physical and intellectual disabilities, as well as elderly adults. UDS employs nearly 400 workers, many of whom either reside or work in Lancaster.

In addition to receiving program-specific state funding, UDS also conducts a fundraising golf outing at Conestoga Country Club - this year on Thursday, Sept. 17 - a bingo event for service dog funding at Lancaster Farm and Home Center in March, and quarterly lunch and learn tours.

"Fundraising is a very important part of how we operate," said Trout. "It's really about supporting people. When you have loved ones with needs, sometimes you just don't know where to take them. We do provide in-home services. We want to provide people with the help they need."