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Institute for Advanced Learning and Research

Driving Economic Transformation

IALR to Hold Open House and Auction Event for “Wreaths for a Cause” Program

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IALR to Hold Open House and Auction Event for “Wreaths for a Cause” Program

IALR to Hold Open House and Auction Event for “Wreaths for a Cause” Program

More than 80 holiday wreaths to be auctioned for local charities, and event ticket sales to benefit United Way

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) will hold “Wreaths for a Cause” this holiday season and invites the public to attend the Open House where they may celebrate the holidays, enjoy prizes and participate in a live and silent auction of wreaths. Tickets are $10 each with proceeds going to the United Way of Danville & Pittsylvania County. Funds from the wreaths will benefit the charity each participating organization designated.  

“Every holiday season, we look forward to inviting the public to enjoy decorations in our Institute Conference Center while also giving back to our nonprofits who are so important to the fabric of our community,” said Ellen Bass of IALR. “This is the second year for Wreaths for a Cause, and we hope to raise even more funds than the $16,000 we were fortunate to raise last year.”

The Open House will be held in IALR’s atrium on Dec. 15 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar will be provided. Austin Scher of the Danville Otterbots will serve as master of ceremonies, and Rita Smith of River City Auction will serve as wreath auctioneer. A 7:15 p.m. drawing will award a gift card package from local businesses (currently valued at $250); individuals must be present to win. Open House tickets may be purchased in advance at IALR Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., or at the door event night.   

Area businesses and organizations create and display wreaths in IALR’s atrium in honor of their selected charities to raise funds in the form of votes, or donations. The public may visit IALR’s atrium Nov. 28-Dec. 15 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. to vote for wreaths with a donation and to enjoy the festive display. Each charity retains those funds, and the wreath/charity that collects the most money prior to the Open House will receive a bonus of $1,000. At the Open House, a random drawing of all wreaths will award another $1,000 and $500 to a participating charity.

Photos from last year’s Wreaths for a Cause: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmXfPACN

Bass Recognized by United Way for Wreaths Campaign

Bass Recognized by United Way for Wreaths Campaign

If you have ever visited IALR between Thanksgiving and Christmas, you may be familiar with the festive holiday program hosted annually. First launched as Decorating the Trees for a Cause and last year revamped to Decorating the Wreaths for a Cause, this event invites businesses to submit decorated wreaths to raise funds, in the form of votes, for a select charity. The event is a major undertaking and has been spearheaded for 12 years by Ellen Bass, IALR’s Sales and Marketing Manager, who was recently recognized by United Way for her efforts.

Heather Satterfield, Past Chair of United Way, recognizes IALR’s Ellen Bass with the Exceptional Event Award for her leadership
of the 2021 Decorating the Wreaths for a Cause program.

“Ellen gives one hundred percent in all that she does to offer exceptional conference services to our guests, businesses and community,” said Leslie Dobbins, Director of the Institute Conference Center and Facilities. “Her leadership in Decorating the Wreaths is always admirable and worthy of commendation. We are fortunate to have her as part of our team.”

During last month’s annual meeting of United Way of Danville-Pittsylvania County, Bass received the Exceptional Event Award for her leadership of the 2021 Decorating the Wreaths for a Cause program. Since the holiday program’s inception in 2010, it has raised more than $135,000 for local charities. In 2021 alone, the new wreaths focus raised more than $16,000. The wreath that collected the most money also received a bonus of $500 at the open house event; it was donated by Goodyear Tire and Rubber to support United Way.

“I am honored to have been recognized in such a special way by United Way, who does a fabulous job of supporting our nonprofit organizations and community on a day-to-day basis,” said Bass. “To lead such an impactful program is very rewarding, and I look forward to continuing to help IALR meet the needs of our community in meaningful ways.”