unCommon Surprises Make Gala An Affair to Remember

In homage to Galas of the past, this year’s unCommon Cau$e Gala Auction promises surprises of the memorable kind. 

Reminiscent of earlier Galas, the evening is featuring opportunities for all guests to help support the arts in an elegant, yet fun, way.  The silent auction is being expanded to its largest ever. Many of the items featured in both the silent and the live auctions, such as unique traveling adventures and gourmet dinners, always have been a big attraction with the Gala. Others, such as a complete orthodontic treatment from local orthodontist Charles McDermott, bring a modern twist to the fundraising event. “Donors have been very generous again this year,” says Diana Gambaiani, Gala Co-Chair. “Their continued support of the Arts and the Gala allows our area to have excellent programs.”

As this is the final year of the unCommon Cau$e Gala in the Commons as it is now known, organizers have paid special attention to create memories.

Best of Catalog

Before the live auction begins, one lucky ticket holder will be called onto the stage. That guest will be able to choose anything from the live auction catalog. “Anything!” says Gambaiani. “We will mail out the Auction Catalog early to reserved guests. They will be able to review all auction items early, so that when their ticket is drawn, they will be able to choose confidently.” Tickets for the Best of Catalog drawing are only being sold at the event during cocktails, the silent auction and dinner. “You don’t want to miss your chance of anything in the catalog. Tickets for the Gala are on sale now.”

Balloon Drop

After the fantastic bidding wars and the auction is over, the dancing begins. As guests get ready to dance to Band, Etc., balloons will drop from the ceiling. “Inside five of those balloons will be a crisp one hundred dollar bill,” said Chuck Wells, another Co-Chair of the event. “Yes, all of the balloons will have to be popped to know if it is one of the five that holds money – Stomp it, use a pen, or, well, sit on it . . . you won’t know until it is popped!”  This fun new surprise was made possible by Centra Credit Union.

Other Surprises

“Other surprises will happen throughout the night,” says Wells, “but you’ll have to attend to find them out.” 

The unCommon Cau$e Gala and Auction is a joint fundraising event of the Columbus Area Arts Council and the Columbus Museum of Art and Design. It brings the community together to celebrate the arts while generating financial support for affordable visual and performing arts programs in the Columbus area.

Financial Sponsors

Dinner:  ArvinMeritor, Cummins Inc.

Enkei America, Inc., Irwin Financial Corporation

 Mayor’s Arts Awards Table: Johnson Ventures, Inc.

 Balloon Drop: Centra Credit Union

 Bidder Paddles: JCB Banking Centers

Welcome: Columbus Components Group, LLC

 Pens: Wiese GM Center and Toyota

 Special Acquisitions: Bruce and Cheryl Cazenave,

Century 21/Breeden Realtors, Columbus Regional Hospital, Lisa Conner,

Ann DeVore, Kirr Marbach & Co., LLC, Elizabeth Larson, Jing Lin,

Joe and Deborah Loughrey, John and Sue McCormick, Jim Meyer,

Smart & Johnson Title Corporation,