First Step Shelter to host mixer for people who want to buy a table at Annual Mayor's Gala

Eileen Zaffiro-Kean, Daytona Beach News-Journal
·4 min read

DAYTONA BEACH — First Step Shelter's Annual Mayor's Gala is still six months away, but it's not too soon to start buying tickets for the homeless shelter's fundraiser and make plans to attend.

Tickets for the Feb. 3 gala are on sale on the First Step Shelter website, and an event where people can commit to pay for a table's worth of tickets is planned for next month.

The table-host mixer will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sept. 7 at the Copper Bottom Craft Distillery, located at 998 N. Beach St. in Holly Hill. The event next month will include complimentary Copper Bottom rum and vodka drinks, a food truck, music, a distillery tour and a brief update from First Step Shelter Executive Director Victoria Fahlberg.

The Grand Ballroom at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort was packed in February for First Step Shelter's first Mayor's Gala fundraiser. For the second annual shelter gala next year, organizers are moving to a larger ballroom and hoping to go from 424 guests this year to at least 500 in 2024.
The Grand Ballroom at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort was packed in February for First Step Shelter's first Mayor's Gala fundraiser. For the second annual shelter gala next year, organizers are moving to a larger ballroom and hoping to go from 424 guests this year to at least 500 in 2024.

The mixer, which is also being held to publicize the Second Annual Mayor's Gala, is free. But organizers are asking people to go on the shelter website to RSVP and get tickets for the Sept. 7 event so those planning the mixer know how big of a crowd to expect.

Each eight-person table for next year's gala costs $1,000. Those who sign up to be table hosts will take it upon themselves to fill a table for the event.

Table hosts can either pay the $1,000 upfront and then find eight people to be seated at their table, or they can submit a $125 down payment and pledge to find people willing to pay for the remaining $875 worth of chairs.

More details on getting gala tickets

The first gala held in February of this year at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort drew 424 people who enjoyed a night of cocktails, dinner, live music, a juggler, videotaped remarks from shelter residents and plenty of time to mingle.

The goal for next year's gala, which will again be held at the oceanfront Hilton, is to have at least 500 people attend. The 2024 gala will be held in the larger Coquina Ballroom which can accommodate up to 600 people.

So that means shelter officials are looking to fill at least 62 tables, and possibly as many as 75. Those who become table hosts before Dec. 30 will be able to choose where their table will be placed in the ballroom.

People interested in buying a table's worth of tickets who can't attend the Sept. 7 event can log onto First Step Shelter's website to make the commitment online.

First Step Shelter Executive Director Victoria Fahlberg spoke to the roughly 400 people gathered in February for the homeless shelter's first large gala fundraiser.
First Step Shelter Executive Director Victoria Fahlberg spoke to the roughly 400 people gathered in February for the homeless shelter's first large gala fundraiser.

Individual tickets are not on sale yet but will be soon.

Those who want to pay for an eight-person table but don't want to do that online can call (386) 361-3800 x 202 or send an email to events@firststepshelter.org. Those who send an email should include their full name, email address, phone number and a note about their wish to host a table.

Those who want to learn more about the mixer and gala can go here.

Questions can be emailed to donations@firststepshelter.org. Those looking for sponsorship information can also contact Patrick Smith, the shelter's director of Philanthropy and Engagement, at (386) 361-3800 x 202 or psmith@firststepshelter.org.

A chance to dress like Grace Kelly and Cary Grant

This year's gala grossed $273,503 and netted $236,400 after expenses. It was the first major fundraiser First Step Shelter held since it opened at the end of 2019. The Mardi Gras-themed party cost $41,000 but had plenty of money left over to bolster the nonprofit's $1.46 million annual budget.

The gala sold out, and the shelter's top staff and board members hope it becomes an annual event to raise private funds, recognize the people who make First Step possible, and celebrate the residents who find their way back to a stable and happy life.

The fundraiser drew dozens of prominent local leaders and residents, average citizens who believe in the shelter's mission and about 35 elected officials at the local, state and federal level.

Daytona 2023 homeless fundraiser a hit: Shelter fundraising gala raises $273,500, celebrates successes and benefactors

The Second Annual Mayor's Gala will be black tie optional, and the event will have a classic Hollywood glamour theme and a red carpet. Women can wear Hollywood-esque gowns, or they can opt for other types of dresses.

Organizers are looking into possibly having Charlie Chaplin and Marilyn Monroe impersonators, as well as a standup comedy act that mimics the Rat Pack. The gala will also include entertainment, a cocktail reception, dinner, honoree awards, and a program highlighting the work of First Step Shelter.

More than 900 people have stayed at the shelter on Daytona Beach's western edge and received various types of help there over the three years and eight months it's been open. About 480 of those clients have been placed in housing.

You can reach Eileen at Eileen.Zaffiro@news-jrnl.com

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Daytona Beach homeless shelter planning table host mixer and 2024 gala