The William Way LGBT Community Center will host its annual Indigo Ball to celebrate the accomplishments of the center and recognize the contributions of individuals in the community.
The event will take place 6-11 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, 128 N. Broad St.
New this year is the creation of the Ally of the Year award, the addition of an extra hour to the event to allow for dance time and catering by Stephen Starr.
The evening will feature access to all museum exhibits, a keynote address by a celebrity guest and an awards ceremony presented by the center co-chairs.
The honorees for the 2014 Indigo Ball are: Mark Aronchick as Ally of the Year, The Attic Youth Center as Community Partner of the Year, Comcast as Corporate Partner of the Year, John Dougherty with the Lifetime Achievement Award and Reggie Shuford as Humanitarian of the Year.
The gala, which annually attracts 350 people, began as a primarily women’s event but shifted focus in 2000.
“It was headed by women from our organization and from our board. And then we were asked by the public, ‘Why don’t we do a general gala?’” said Michael Pomante, the center’s director of development. “Fourteen years ago it became a general gala. It became a way to celebrate the center and the community for one night.”
The event also serves as the primary fundraiser for the center.
“In terms of fundraising, it’s our biggest event by far. We have sponsorship opportunities for corporations, which this year includes Comcast and PECO. We sell tickets for individual chairs and tables. We also do an ask during the night. The executive director gives a short year in review and a preview of 2015, and people can donate at the event too,” Pomante said.
For more information visit, www.waygay.org.