JDRF Gala Guest Information
We are pleased to have you as our guest at the 2019 Michigan Great Lakes West Promise Gala. Our mission is to turn Type One into type none. Thank you for supporting JDRF and helping us get one step closer to a cure for type 1 diabetes. Below are some highlights of the evening as well as some important information.
TABLE HOSTS
Thank you for helping ensure that your guests have an amazing experience! If you have not provided your guests’ email addresses, please forward this information to them. Thank you! Also, guest names, addresses, cell phone numbers and emails are requested by April 23rd to help expedite the registration process. If you have not sent yours in yet, please email kmonks@jdrf.org.
TICKETS
Guests will not receive tickets prior to the event and will check in by last name at registration when you arrive. If you have purchased tickets for others, please be sure to email kmonks@jdrf.org with their names, addresses (for post event tax acknowledgements). email addresses (for pre-event information) and cell phone numbers for our silent auction bidding.
PRE-REGISTER YOUR CREDIT CARD
If you are pre-registered, you can breeze through the registration line! Your credit card will not be charged unless you make a purchase at the Promise Gala. Register here.
TIMELINE
6:00 Registration Begins. Cocktail reception, silent auction, wine pull, raffle and hors d’oeuvres
7:30 pm Dinner, Live Auction, Fund A Cure
9:30pm Entertainment by Scott Veenstra
*Please note: times may change slightly.
BID PAL ELECTRONIC AUCTION BIDDING
No more fighting the crowd over paper bid sheets! Bring your fully charged smart phone for mobile bidding on the silent auction. A text with the silent auction link will be sent to you at 5pm on Thursday, April 26th and you can start your bidding! Please provide your cell phone number to kmonks@jdrf.org prior to the event. If you do not have a smart phone, volunteers will be available to assist you.
MENU
Starter - Leaves of Arugula and Romaine with cucumber, marinated tomatoes, hearts of palm, mint and honey-lime vinaigrette (gf + df + v) GF Brazilian Cheese Rolls (Pan de Queijo) and Butter
Entrée - Duet of seared filet of tenderloin of beef topped with tomato demi glaze and cumin and achiote rubbed breast of airline chicken set atop a bed of sweet potato, corn and black eyed pea hash and sautéed spinach coconut and sweet pepper sauce (gf - df – nf)
Dessert (Alternating) – Chocolate Demi Sphere with Brigadero center / topped with white chocolate shard with blue, and yellow decor / raspberry and passion fruit coulis Dolce de Leche Panna Cotta / raspberry and passion fruit coulis / white chocolate curls & dried mangos > served in martini glass
If you or your guests have any dietary restrictions, please email kmonks@jdrf.org by April 24.
LOCATION AND PARKING
The Gala will be held in the Ambassador Ballroom of the Amway Grand Plaza, 187 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 . Valet parking is available through the hotel or you may self park. Per the Amway Grand Website: Due to large highway construction updates, as guests approach downtown please follow the posted detour signs for Amway Grand Hotel. If exiting off Pearl St. northbound or southbound US-131 you will be directed north onto Michigan St., west to Monroe St. and south onto Pearl Street. If arriving from the Lansing/Detroit area please take 96-West to 131-south to get to the downtown area. If arriving in from Holland or 196-east then please exit off Market St. or Lake Michigan Drive.
Guests are encouraged to use local media for in-time updates and reroutes. https://fox17online.com/2019/03/25/closure-of-westbound-i-196-and-downtown-gr-ramp-closures-begin-april-1/
ACTIVITIES
Raffle—Enter to win the “Golden Paddle”! The winner will get their pick of Live Auction items and will get to raise their golden paddle to claim the prize of their choice during bidding! Tickets are $100 per entry and each entry has a 1 in 100 chance of winning! Volunteers will be selling tickets during the cocktail reception or you can simply purchase through BidPal on your phone.
Wine Pull—$25 and everyone wins! Draw a number and win a bottle of Wine valued anywhere from $15—$75 per bottle. Visit the Wine Pull table to play!
Heads or Tails Game – It’s everyone’s favorite Gala Game. Purchase a chance to play for $25 and the last person standing will take home fantastic gift basket with $100 gift card from Noco Provisions Restaurant and other fine gifts. Purchase through BidPal and pick up your blinky ring game piece from designated volunteers during the reception.
SILENT AUCTION
There are over 130 unique items up for bid in the silent auction. ALL silent auction sections will close immediately prior to the Live Auction and there will be an announcement. Item pick up begins 10 minutes after Fund A Cure. Should you not be able to pick up your item the night of the event, please contact the JDRF office Monday, April 29th at 616-957-1838.
Check it out! A Preview of our Auction is now available online and will be continually updated with new items.
The Silent Auction will open at 5pm on Thursday, April 25th. Everyone that has provided a cell phone number will receive a text with a link and instructions to get started. Please email kmonks@jdrf.org with your cell phone if it has not been provided previously.
LIVE AUCTION
The Live Auction is an entertaining interactive auction filled with exciting and unique items such as trips, “one of a kind” experiences, and more.
Please note: Bid cards for you and your guests will be at your table. Live auctions items are not available through Bid Pal.
FUND A CURE
One of the most special parts of the evening, Fund A Cure, is an opportunity to hear from those living with type 1 diabetes. Our Fund A Cure Featured speaker this year includes Pam Blodgett and her family. All contributions to Fund A Cure are 100% tax deductible and will go directly toward research. On the evening of April 26th, you will have the opportunity to make a contribution to Fund A Cure. Our goal this year is to raise $200,000 toward research. If you’d like to make your contribution prior to the event, you can pre-commit to the Fund A Cure and be recognized during the event program.
CONTACT US
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Kim Monks at kmonks@jdrf.org or (616) 222-1239.
