Wings of Hope to Host 2023 Winter Gala Feb. 11, Proceeds to Support 2023 Operating Budget

Wings of Hope Cancer Support Center will celebrate the 1970s on Saturday, Feb. 11, at its annual winter gala. “Winter in the 70s…I Will Survive” will be held at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs from 6:00 to 9:00pm. Tickets are $100 per person (including heavy hors d’oeuvres and drinks), and proceeds will support the organization’s annual operating budget.

“It’s been three years since we’ve been able to meet in person, and we’re looking forward to reconnecting with the community while raising money for a great cause,” said Carolyn Ettinger, executive director of Wings of Hope Cancer Support Center.

Mary Nelson and Zach Williamson from KMTV 3 News Now will serve as emcees for the event, and all attendees are encouraged to dress in iconic fashion trends from the decade – think bell bottoms, platform shoes and colorful patterns.

DeafAudio DJs will be spinning 70s tunes throughout the evening, and Julian Adair, owner of Adair Dance Academy in Omaha, will be teaching attendees how to do the hustle and the electric slide. A troupe of dancers from the Adair Dance Academy will perform to Abba’s “Dancing Queen.”

The evening also will include the premiere of a series of Wings of Hope videos created by Right Idea Media & Creative in Council Bluffs, a “Name That Tune” contest plus silent, oral and program auctions. Council Bluffs auctioneer Gail Hunter has donated his services for the evening, so get ready to bid!

In conjunction with the gala, Wings of Hope is hosting three raffles. The first is a 2023 Chiefs Experience, which includes 2 tickets to a 2023 Kansas City Chiefs home game, a 2-night hotel stay for 2 in the Kansas City metro and a few surprises. Tickets are $50 each and can be purchased online at www.wingsofhope.org/chiefs. The winner will be announced at the gala. You need not be present to win.

The second is the organization’s annual quilt raffle. Karen Krause of Council Bluffs has created a Block of the Month Quilt, and raffle tickets are $3 each or 2 for $5. You can purchase them online at www.wingsofhope.org/raffle or call 712.325.8970. Krause donates a quilt to Wings of Hope each year, and this raffle has helped the organization raise close to $65,000 since its inception. The winner will be announced at the gala.

The third is a 50/50 raffle that will be conducted at the gala.

The 2023 Wings of Hope Winter Gala is sponsored by the Scott Family Foundation, Heartland Oncology (American Oncology), CHI Health Mercy Hospital, the Daily Nonpareil, Hematology & Oncology Consultants, HyVee, Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital, Availa Bank, CHI Health, Doll Distributing, Brad & Patti Higginbotham, Iowa Western Community College, NuStar Energy L.P., Tyson Foods, Frontier Savings Bank, Bloom Works Floral, Dallas Johnson Greenhouses, Schroer & Associates and TS Bank.

To purchase tickets to the event, visit www.wingsofhope.org/gala or call 712.325.8970.