2023 Annual Gala

Celebrating 51 Years of Friendships

November 3, 2023 | 5:00 - 9:00 PM

The Crescent at Eau Claire Event District

5775 20th Ave, Eau Claire WI 54703

Does your business or organization want to sponsor this event?

Learn about our different sponsorship opportunities here. For questions or to purchase your company’s additional discounted group tickets included with sponsorship, reach out to Rillie Zwiefelhofer, our Development Manager.

2023 Golden Gala Sponsors:

Presenting Sponsor:

Impact maker Sponsors:

match maker Sponsors:

Memories Sponsors:

Toast Sponsors:
CLA — Festival foods — Group Health Cooperative of Eau Claire — Marten Transport, LTD —McDonough Manufacturing CO. — Oral Surgery Associates — Security Financial Bank — WIN technology

Table Sponsors:
Asher Lasting Exteriors — CURt by lippert — Eau Claire Chamber of commerce— iheartmedia — Leinie Lodge — market & johnson — M3 insurance — one automotive group — von briesen & Roper — WIpfli

EVENT SCHEDULE: 

Schedule of Events: 

5:00pm-6:30pm: Check-In, Cocktail Hour, Silent Auction, Exhibits, Games, Raffles, & More 

6:30pm-7:30pm: Plated Dinner, Cocktails, and Silent Auction 

7:30pm-9:00pm*: Event Program and Ben Seidman Performance 

9:00pm*: Check-Out 

*End time is subject to change day-of depending on the overall flow of the program. The agency’s goal is always to have attendees leave before or at 9:00pm. 

Annual Gala  

Step into a world of boundless possibilities at this year's highly anticipated Big Brothers Big Sisters Annual Gala! Join us for an unforgettable evening filled with hope, inspiration, and the power of mentorship. On November 3rd, our Annual Gala will transport you to a place where dreams come true, and lives are forever impacted. 
 
Prepare to be immersed in an enchanting atmosphere, adorned with breathtaking decorations and twinkling lights that mirror the shimmering potential within each child we serve. As you mingle with fellow champions of mentorship before your plated meal, you'll feel the electric energy of a community united in the belief that every child deserves a bright future. 

Throughout the evening, you'll witness the stories of resilience, empowerment, triumph, and transformation that epitomize the Big Brothers Big Sisters mission. From heartwarming testimonials to a captivating performance from Ben Seidman, each moment will touch your soul and reaffirm the immense impact of a mentor's unwavering guidance. 
 
But it doesn't end there! Get ready to bid on exclusive auction items, where luxury, adventure, services, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences await your eager participation. Every winning bid is not just a prize to treasure, but also a beacon of hope for a child on our waiting list yearning for a mentor's guiding hand. 
 
As the night draws to a close, you’ll be asked to support our Fund-the-Need, our ask for financial support. Together we will revel in the celebration of how far we've come, and the incredible journeys yet to unfold. Let your impact and the impact of others move your heart knowing that together we're empowering a generation and creating a brighter tomorrow—today.  
 
Don't miss this extraordinary evening of impact, camaraderie, and inspiration. Reserve your place or sponsor today and be a part of the life-changing magic that is the Big Brothers Big Sisters Annual Gala. 

Do you want to register a different way or do you need an invoice? 

Contact our Events Director Kim Munsch at kim.munsch@bbbsnw.org

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: How do I purchase tickets?

A: Ticking for the Annual Gala is sold in 3 ways: Individual Tickets at $125 each, 8-Person Table Rate at $920, or through Sponsorship. You can do all three right here on our website, or send an email to our Development Manager, Rillie Zwiefelhofer, if you’d like to connect about alternative registration options.

Q: Are there any group rates?

A: Yes! An Individual Ticket is $125 each but if you purchase an 8-Person Table Rate at $920 you save an additional $80!

Q: What is the event dress code?

A: Semi-Formal

Q: When should I arrive?

A: Cocktail hour and Check-in will be from 5:00pm - 6:30pm.

Q: Where do I park?

A: There is free parking available at the venue.

Q: What are my meal choices?

A: Dinner will begin at 6:30pm and your plated meal will be brought to you at your assigned table. Please select from the following meal options when registering:

i.      Hoisin Garlic Charbroiled Chicken Breast served with Parsley Baby Red Potatoes and Green Bean Almandine

ii.      Filet Mignon with Wine Mushroom Demi-Glaze served with Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Green Bean Almandine (Gluten-Free)

iii.   Butternut Squash Ravioli served with a sage brown butter sauce and Green Bean Almandine (Vegetarian)

Q: Can I request a special meal for dietary purposes?

A: We strive to create an inclusive space for all of our guests. If you have an allergy or other restrictions that have not been accommodated by our choices, please inform Development Manager, Rillie Zwiefelhofer, and she will notify the culinary team at the KP Katering.

Q: Will there be assigned seating?

A: Our Sponsors and supporters mean so much to us—to ensure an amazing event quality for all of our guests, table assignments will be given to you at check-in and via email the day of the event.

Q: What is the event program like?

A: During our program we kick-off with an interactive game called “Heads or Tails” and then we hear some inspiring stories about matches and individuals our agency is honored to recognize. We have an incredible performer, Ben Seidman, who will be joining us for an hour of amazing comedy, magic, and pick-pocketing. We close the evening with our Fund the Need program and the closing of our auctions and raffles.

Q: Will there be any opportunities to network or connect with other attendees?

A: Yes! Cocktail hour is a great time to mingle with other attendees, meet up with your party, take pictures, bid on silent auction items, and more!

Q: Is there any entertainment at the event?

A: Back by popular demand, Ben Seidman will be joining us again this year! Ben guest stars on the Netflix Original Brainchild produced by Pharrell. He appeared on Penn & Teller: Fool Us on the CW network and starred in two specials on Travel Channel.  He was the highest rated performer for Princess Cruises and won the title Entertainer of the Year. Seidman is the only person in history to be named the Resident Magician at Mandalay Bay, Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. After several thousand performances at numerous luxury casinos, Seidman became known as a powerful staple of the Vegas entertainment scene. His residency at Mandalay followed three-seasons consulting for Mindfreak on A&E, during which he worked full-time, designing illusions for Criss Angel. Now based in Los Angeles, Ben continues to travel bringing his one-man show across the world.  He headlined the Atlantis Resort & Casino in the Bahamas, The Royalton Riviera in Cancun, and performed a record-breaking one hundred and twenty shows at The Venetian in Macau, China. Ben was voted Best Small Venue Artist by Campus Activities Magazine and spent three months in Stockholm, Sweden writing and directing magic for SVT, the biggest TV channel in Sweden. Ben is a favorite at the world famous Comedy & Magic Club in Hermosa Beach, CA, a headliner at Catch a Rising Star, and a frequent performer at the Magic Castle in Hollywood. He has been featured in two Just For Laughs tours spanning 23 cities across Canada and appears in a feature film documenting the tour. Seidman’s performances are jam packed with stand-up comedy, fascinating true stories, and world- renowned sleight-of-hand. His energy and playfulness are contagious as they spread through the audience and he never fails to give a sensational performance.