Save the dates for these Lehigh Valley charity events

FROM THE MORNING CALL

FASHION AND SHOPPING: The 3rd annual Fashion Show for the Bethlehem Area Public Library launches the grand opening of the Shoppes at Sands on Wednesday. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. with food stations and cocktails. Immediately following the fashion show and sponsor recognition, guests will enjoy exclusive shopping at the Shoppes at Sands until 9 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Room to Grow children's library. Just Born Inc. is the premier sponsor. Sponsorship info: Carol Ritter at 610-442-4545. Tickets, $50, are available at http://www.bapl.org.

ROCKIN' PARTY: WDIY presents a "Who Shot Rock & Roll" benefit party 7-11 p.m. Saturday at the Allentown Art Museum, 31 N. Fifth St. The event includes guided tours of the photography exhibit by guest curator Gail Buckland, food, complimentary drinks and live music by The Doughboys. Tickets $55; $45, WDIY members. Info: http://www.wdiy.org.

SWEET BENEFIT: The 2nd Annual Wine and Chocolate "Sweets and Treets" event will be held noon-5 p.m. Saturdayat Clover Hill Vineyard and Winery in Breinigsville. All proceeds fund the organization Angel 34's services and support, and cancer research for children battling cancer. The event includes wine samplings, chocolate treats made by local pastry chefs and companies, food pairings by chef Nathan Grube, silent auction, raffle and prizes, and a complimentary bottle of wine. Tickets, $25 per person, are available at Clover Hill in Breinigsville and Missing Piece in Nazareth, or http://www.angel34.org. Info or sponsorships, 610-533-1923.

DRINK UP: The Friendfest Benefit Beer and Wine Festival offers three sessions starting at 1, 4 and 7 p.m. Saturday at Beltzner Hall in the Kutztown Fairgrounds. The event includes tastings from international craft beer and local winemakers, plus live music and food vendors. Tickets are $35 in advance or $50 at the door, with designated-driver tickets for $10. Volunteers needed. Info: http://www.friendfest.org or contact Cathy at 610-683-7791.


THINK GREEN: Jack Callaghan's Ale House hosts a St. Patrick's Parade Fundraiser 3-6 p.m. Feb. 19. Tickets, $10 per person, include two beer tickets and a door prize. The event features a silent auction and music. Advance tickets: Jennifer Eck at 610-462-3730 or j.eck@jennifereckllc.com. Tickets available at the door.

FROCK & ROLL BASH: The Baum School of Art holds a Designer Meet & Greet at 7 p.m. Feb. 25 as part of its "Frock & Roll" exhibition. The event opens with a cocktail reception and features a runway show by Baum School and LCCC fashion students, performances by the Community Music School Top 40 Ensemble and Repertory Dance Theater, and an opportunity to meet celebrity fashion designers represented in the exhibition. Tickets: $75. Leigh Musser: 610-433-0032 or leigh@baumschool.org.

OSCAR BENEFIT BASH: The 8th Annual Academy Awards Bash to benefit Pride of the Greater Lehigh Valley kicks off with a red carpet walk at 7 p.m. on Feb. 26 at the Allentown Brew Works. The $25 admission includes one free cocktail, appetizers, a pasta bar, dessert, a silent auction, swag bags, trivia contests, raffles and a grand prize for the person who picks the most winners. Tickets available at http://www.prideglv.org, Brew Works at 610-433-7777 or at the door.

SKI BENEFIT: The Teddy Bedrossian Ski-athon will be held 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 3 at Bear Creek Mountain Resort. The fundraiser benefits the nonprofit Davidson School at Elwyn, serving children with special needs. For more info and to register, see http://www.firstgiving.com/elwyn/teddy-bedrossian-ski-a-thon, or contact Anna Sofio at 610-891-2606 or anna_sofio@elwyn.org.

KENTUCKY DERBY STYLE: A Night at the Races, organized by Child Care Information Services, will be 6-10 p.m. March 10 at Coca-Cola Park. The event, benefiting children with behavioral challenges, is co-hosted by Amy Burkett of WLVT and Eve Tannery of WFMZ-TV and includes cocktails, a buffet and "funny money" to bet. Prizes will be awarded for the best derby hats. For tickets, $60 per person or $100 per couple, call Betsy Gilgoff at 610-419-4500 ext. 221. Sponsorships: Martha Wells at 610-442-2572.

BENEFIT FOR CHILDREN: The 6th Annual Have a Heart for Children event starts at 6:30 p.m. March 10 at the Hotel Bethlehem. The fundraiser for Valley Youth House's Project Child and The Fund to Benefit Children and Youth includes dinner, a cash bar, a drawing and music by the Philadelphia Funk Authority. Tickets $75: Margie Kelly at 610-954-956, ext. 334.

DIOCESE GALA: Catholic Charities, Diocese of Allentown's Fifth Annual Gala begins at 5 p.m. March 11 at the Holiday Inn, Fogelsville. Proceeds benefit social service programs of Catholic Charities in five area counties. Tickets are $125 per person or $1,100 for a table of 10. Sponsorships available. Info: Lynne Shampain at 610-871-5200, ext. 281, or lshampain@allentowndiocese.org, or http://www.catholiccharityAD.org.

RUN FOR CHILDREN: The 3rd Annual Run to Live event, presented by the Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley, begins with 7-8 a.m. registration on March 24 at the Ironton Rail Trail/Coplay Parkway. Race events start at 8:30, 9:15 and 9:40 a.m. for the 8K Run, 1/2- mile fun run and 5K Walk, followed by an awards ceremony, refreshments, raffles and surprises. Discounted early registration until March 4 is $30/8K Run, $25/5K Walk and $5/ 1/2 mile fun run. Registration includes T-shirt and goodie bag. Info or registration: http://www.firstgiving.com/pcflv/runtolive or http://www.pcflv.org. Sponsorship or volunteer info: Nicole Ronco at 610-393-9215 or njronco@pcflv.org, or Sharon Geroulo at sgeroulo@pcflv.org.

FILM FEST FUNDRAISER: The SouthSide Film Institute will host its $1,000 Night Fundraiser 6-9:30 p.m. March 24 at Comfort Suites , 120 W. Third St., Bethlehem. The event includes dinner and desserts from local restaurants, caterers and bakeries, live and silent auctions, and raffle drawings, including a grand prize of $1,000. Registration is $40 per person or $75 per couple. Info: sponsorships or invitation, Janet Cimino at 610-767-9138 or visit http://www.ssff.org.

BASKETBALL BANQUET: The Via All-Star Banquet, part of the 37th Via All-Star Basketball Classic fundraiser, starts at 6:30 p.m. ) March 28 at Freedom High School Gymnasium in Bethlehem. The keynote speaker is Joe Theismann, former star quarterback for the Washington Redskins. The event recognizes members of the Via All-Star teams, Players of the Year, Teams of the Year, awards scholarships for student athletes and inducts members into the Lehigh Valley High School Basketball Hall of Fame. Purchase $100 per person tickets at http://www.viaNet.org or sponsor a table for $1,000. Info: Rachel Kave at R.Kave@ViaNet.org or 610-317-8000 x489.

PERFORMING ARTS GALA: The Second Annual High Notes Gala March 31 starts with a mocktail reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. at Allentown Symphony Hall. Organized by the nonprofit Foundation for Allentown City Schools, the black-tie-optional event includes an art auction and middle and high school students presenting excerpts from their schools musicals. Tickets are $150 per person; $95 of which is tax deductible. Debora Roberson at 610-391-0160 or debora@robersonbutz.com. Sponsorships available. Info: Debora or Barry Halper at 610-295-2225 or halper.barry@gmail.com. Tickets for performance only are $22 at Allentown Symphony Hall box office.

FUNDRAISING ROAST: A fundraising 25th Birthday Roast of Equality Pennsylvania President Adrian Shanker starts at 11 a.m. April 1 at The Palace Center in Allentown. Professional comedian Ryan Hill and many political leaders will be featured at the brunch event, which includes live music, a silent auction and raffle. Tickets are $30. To purchase or contribute to the auction, e-mail Aeshanker@gmail.com.

HEALING ARTS: A reception with an awards ceremony and silent auction, concluding the Second Annual Hope & Healing Juried Art Show for High School Students, will be held 5:30-8:30 p.m. April 5 at the State Theatre Center for the Arts Brown-Daub Gallery in Easton. The nonprofit group Healing Through The Arts will donate works contributed by students at nine area school to hospitals for display in patient rooms or treatment areas, illustrating the connection between art and healing. Admission $50 per person; make reservations at http://www.HTTA.org/art-show.

CABARET BASH: The Crystal Cabaret, a fundraiser for The Two Rivers Health & Wellness Foundation, will be held 6:30-10:30 p.m. April 20 at the Villa on the Green at Riverview Country Club in Easton. The event features elegant food and live entertainment. Proceeds benefit community health initiatives. Tickets are $75 per person. Reservations or sponsorships: Janet Mease at 610-253-7400.

BOOK IT: The 2nd Annual "A Novel Affair" gala to benefit the Allentown Public Library will be 6-9:30 p.m. April 21 at the library. The event includes food samplings by area restaurants, caterers and bakeries, a silent auction and prize drawing. Registration is $75 per person or $140 per couple. Info on sponsorships, to donate prizes or for invitation: Janet Cimino at 610-767-9138

LONG SHOTS: Charity for Children hosts the 2012 Re/Max World Long Drive Championship Local Qualifier 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 5 at Olde Homestead Golf Club, New Tripoli. Top finishers advance to the regionals, with the goal of reaching the World Finals in October in Nevada and winning a $450,000 purse. The fundraiser includes a Ladies and Childrens Long Drive, a family-oriented putting contest. Registration fee for World Long Drive is $40 per try (multiple tries allowed). For info on registration, sponsorships or prize donations, contact Janet Cimino at 610-767-9138.

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