Rain doesn’t stop Gala enthusiasts
An enthusiastic but smaller than normal group enjoyed the 15th annual Friends of Fort Griffin Gala Saturday night at the “Flat” on the Collins Creek Ranch.
The Gala, held the second weekend of October each year, is sponsored by Friends of Fort Griffin as a fundraiser. Proceeds are earmarked to restore buildings at Fort Griffin State Historic Site, where the frontier military post was located.
“We had a lot of gorgeous rain, and we never complain about rain,” said event organizer Susan Waller. “But, because of the rain, a lot of people didn’t come out. The group that did make it to the party was fabulous, and we had a great time!”
Activities included a silent auction, live auction, beef tenderloin dinner, dance, and music.
Doug Moreland’s chainsaw art demonstration was cut short because of the rain.
“He only got it about halfway done, and we couldn’t yet tell for sure what it was going to be,” said Waller. “But he had brought a couple more of his pieces with him, and he let us auction off one of them in place of the unfinished one.”
Because of the rain, and the resulting decreased attendance levels, the auctions did not raise as much money for the Fort Griffin restoration projects as Waller had anticipated.
“I don’t have final numbers yet, but we did not raise as much as I had hoped,” she said. “In any case, the band was great, we hope to have them again, and we will absolutely have the Gala again next year. We still need to raise more funds to restore the Sutler Store, and eventually we hope to also stock it with period-correct goods.”
Waller said that although the Sutler store restoration would be fairly expensive, it would certainly be worth the cost.
“It will make an already great fort even better,” Waller said.
Sponsorships are still available in the following amounts: Friends $50, Good Friends $150, Best Friends $250, Great Friends $500, Fabulous Friends $1,000, and Incredible Friends $2,500.
The Friends of Fort Griffin organization is an approved 501(c)(3) entity. Organizations classified by 501(c)(3) are commonly referred to as charitable organizations, and are eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
For more information, call Waller at 325-762-5038 or mail checks to Friends of Fort Griffin, PO Box 2154, Albany TX 76430.
