This Thursday: 'Greater Alarm Gala' in Hollywood
The men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department welcome you to join civic and community leaders at the 'Greater Alarm Gala - Firing Up Our Future' this Thursday, October 23, 2008.
The LAFD Historical Society is proudly hosting this 4th annual event in the recently completed Memorial Plaza adjacent to the LAFD Museum at Historic Fire Station 27 in Hollywood. Please join us...
Thursday, October 23, 2008
5:00 PM
'Greater Alarm Gala - Firing Up Our Future'
LAFD Museum & Fallen Firefighter Memorial
1355 North Cahuenga Boulevard
Hollywood, California 90028
Plan for an evening of fun, food and entertainment as well as fabulous food prepared by Los Angeles Firefighters.
..and did we mention the live and silent auction of items you simply won't find anywhere else? All are welcome. For more information - or to RSVP, please call (310)491-1401 or visit:
Not sure you want to go? Take a peek at some photos from last year's event and then pick up the phone. We look forward to seeing you!
Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department
5 comments:
The $250 per person cost for this years Gala is way too high! While I've attended the last three I won't be spending $500 per couple to make this one.
I can't imagine this increase during a recession! Maybe the idiots who set the price in the stratosphere will rethink their decision after the attendance falls.
Anonymous 2:52,
NOTE: I do not speak officially for the Los Angeles Fire Department Historical Society, but offer my personal sentiments.
While we generally shy away from approving posts that call people names, we deeply understand the frustration that many are experiencing these days, and wanted to thank you for your past support of this very important annual event.
The state of our nation's economy has caused many of us to alter our social and philanthropic endeavors, if only for the short term. It is indeed such cutbacks that makes it important for those who can be there to be there.
As one of the very few Museums in our City that welcomes all free of admission year-round, the LAFD Museum and Fallen Firefighter Memorial in Hollywood (and its companion museum in San Pedro) are also the only institutions of their type in our region: devoted to the history and education of fire and life safety.
While we never want anyone to extend themselves beyond their current financial means, the Greater Alarm Gala does far more than celebrate our Brother Robert Gladden, Ms. Nancy Ryder or even those who have bravely paid the ultimate price in protecting our City.
The event helps pay the electric bill that not only lights display cases and brings fresh air into the building, but also allows the ADA compliant elevator to take mobility impaired visitors of all ages to the education center upstairs.
The money collected also pays for water, paper towels, toilet tissue, mops, glass cleaner and countless other items that must indeed be present for the Museum to function as the community jewel that it is.
Yes, $250 per person is a level of giving that only a few can sustain at this time. For that donation however, they will experience the goodness of charitable giving while experiencing a night like no other.
Indeed for some, this will be the only charitable event they attend all year. For that - like your past attendance at the Greater Alarm Gala, we offer our sincere thanks for a sacrifice of time and money to make this a truly festive and productive event.
For those unable to attend this year, we thank you for simply remembering the mission of the Museum and Memorial, and more importantly for understanding that the facility must not only survive but thrive.
If nothing else, we hope that you can visit the Museuem and Memorial some Saturday, merely to say THANK YOU to the many volunteer docents that greatly multiply the financial assistance that the Greater Alarm Gala makes possible.
Again, thanks for sharing your personal thoughts - which are understandable in these difficult financial times.
Respectfully Yours in Safety and Service,
Brian Humphrey
Firefighter/Specialist
Public Service Officer
Los Angeles Fire Department
Brian,
Thanks for your reponse and I appoligize for the personal slight. I appreciate your always thoughtful responses.
I'm well aware of the good things the museum does and all that it offers. It's a good thing. And the need to generate revenue to continue the cause.
However, it just appears this year's Gala is completely out of touch with the community it's trying to garner. I believe the majority of the revenue was made on the auctions, not the gate. And you need butts in the seats to make that a success.
I suppose only time will tell.
Best regards,
Anonymous 2:52
These are good and valuable comments. We would be delighted to welcome anyone to the gala at the "firefighter" rate of $125 per person. Planning for these types of events takes place long in advance and the most common entry rate for a fundraiser appears to be in the $250 range per ticket.
This year's event offers much more than in previous years as it relates to value for our guests - including a photo booth attraction, a cigar bar with hand-wrapped cigars, an ale and beer bar plus our standard full service open bar, slide the fire pole attraction, a lounge for relaxing, etc.
Our entertainment includes fire dancers, aerial performance artists, singers, videos of the LAFD in action, and other bits of fun to help make the evening fun and memorable.
The silent auction includes some fun Hollywood memorabilia, tickets to shows, and remarkable photography of the LAFD and Hollywood. There will also be some remarkable art, including original Piccaso, Miro, Dali, plus stunning photographs (signed by the artist) of Marilyn Monroe, etc.
We know the economy has taken its toll on everyone - and the current uncertainty in the general marketplace related to the upcoming events in November and beyond make any event such as ours one that requires flexibility and consideration. To that end, I will repeat that we welcome anyone to attend for $125 per seat and we hope you do come - a lot of effort has gone into making this a terrific event.
And... I haven't even touched on the fantastic food that will be served...
To learn more and to reserve your seats, please call 310-491-1401
Anonymous 2:52,
No worries - and thank you for your kind words. They mean more than you know.
Though your viewpoint was indeed passionate, it was largely polite and *certainly* on-topic.
While 'idiot' is far from the worst we see submitted (and was not perceived as being aimed at me), I did want to make it clear to the casual reader that such words are to be discouraged. I'm sure you understand.
Please know that my sophomoric explanation of museum operations was largely aimed at blog visitors who have never had the opportunity and honor of visiting the museum and memorial or attending such events - and was in no way meant to trivialize your knowledge or lessen your commitment to a venue that both you and I clearly treasure.
Your attendance at three previous galas is irrefutable proof of your commitment to our common dream.
That much said...
Following the measured success of last night's gala, let us support the planning for next year's gala.
I hope that you will be sitting next to my wife and I for what certainly will be a night to remember!
Again, thanks for reading and participating on this blog. It is the only thing that keeps me going.
Respectfully (and I suspect Fraternally) Yours in Safety and Service,
Brian Humphrey
Firefighter/Specialist
Public Service Officer
Los Angeles Fire Department
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