The city’s first Trauma Survivors Foundation Black Tie & Sneakers Masquerade Ball is coming to South Philly.
Live! Casino and Hotel Philadelphia on Packer Avenue will host the event on Nov. 5. It was created in 2013 and about 1,000 people are expected to attend.
The Trauma Survivors Foundation’s mission is to provide resources, education and training necessary to serve those affected by trauma, with a large focus on first responders. The Foundation offers scholarships for college-bound or current college students who are children of volunteer firefighters or police officers.
The money raised through donations goes directly to providing trained therapists for emergency response during and after traumatic events, training to expand the network of responders and scholarships to those who want to become certified and help carry out their mission.
Over the last nine years, the foundation has provided thousands of trauma survivors with resources, education and training to help their recovery. More than 30,000 individuals have been helped through crisis intervention and 40,000 meals have been delivered to healthcare workers and first responders.
“This is an amazing foundation for people to come out and help, so I hope to see as many people as possible come together to have fun and support this fantastic nonprofit,” said chef Ange Branca of Kampar Kitchen, who helped organize the event. “The food and the diversity of chefs we have amassed will make this one of the most delicious events of its kind this year. This is the most diverse food event happening in Philly this fall, and it includes an incredible collection of chefs and artisans.”
The event runs from 7-11 p.m. and tickets are $150 and include access to the cocktail hour with music by SNACKTIME, dinner, the party music from Kristen and the Noise, a silent auction, raffle prizes, a photo booth and an open bar featuring the beers wines and local craft distilleries pouring through the end of the night. Cocktail hour-only tickets are $75 and takes place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. All tickets are available at http://blacktiesneakersgala.com. The event is black tie, and tuxedos and gowns are encouraged, but it is a sneakers-only affair.
Several local businesses will be present, including desserts from Pennsport’s Cake & Joe and East Passyunk’s Kouklet Brazilian Bakehouse. Many other eating options extend well beyond South Philly.
The street food cocktail hour and dinner lineup were curated by Branca, who has been hyper-focused on bringing the food portion of this event together to feature a very impressive, very diverse group of talented Philadelphia-area chefs and makers.
“The majority of the makers participating cook underrepresented food, and the Kampar Kitchen platform shines a spotlight on all of these amazing culinary minds so they can share their talents and make these flavors available,” Branca said. “Guests attending this event will definitely appreciate the diversity we have in Philly while supporting these chefs and this very important foundation.”
Baseball fans need not worry. If there is a Game 7 of the World Series, the game will be televised at the gala at Live Casino. There will be a little bit of entertainment for everyone in an attempt to raise money for a good cause.
“We have so many communities represented at this event, and since Philly is such an interesting, diverse melting pot, this is the perfect stage for our 10th annual fundraiser,” said Trauma Survivors Foundation founder Dennis Carradin. “We expect approximately 1,000 attendees, and hope to raise more than $100,000 from this fun and delicious soirée.”
