By Larry Erickson
Our calendar is packed with fall events that benefit worthy causes. Here’s a trio of fundraisers that promise to reward your generosity with distinctive and memorable evenings:
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Mone Aye, a refugee from Burma,, is a bilingual community outreach worker with the Des Moines Public Schools and a co-founder of EMBARC. Celebrate the contributions of five inspiring immigrants and refugees at the 2015 Passport to Prosperity Awards, presented by the Iowa International Center Sept. 26 at Drake University’s Olmsted Center. Honorees are Mone Aye, Alejandra Vidal-Soler Graham, Nu Huynh, Serkan Usta and Sang Wong. Learn more about them on the IIC’s website. The celebration, which starts at 6 p.m., includes a banquet menu reflecting the native cultures of the evening’s honorees. The cost is $50 per person; RSVP by Sept. 21 and buy tickets here.
- Consider tipping wildly, even gratuitously, at the sixth annual Celebrity Servers Night Sept. 28 at Django and Centro restaurants. Your generosity supports the mission of the Young Women’s Resource Center. This year, experienced servers will be paired with some of the city’s dynamic young professionals. You’ll pay $40 for a three-course prix-fixe meal; purchase tickets in advance here. Pick from two seating times: 5:30 p.m. or 8 p.m. Questions? Email bpuhrmann@ywrc.org or call 244-4901.
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Nu Huynh, a refugee from Vietnam, is executive director of the Iowa Asian Alliance. In its heritage, collections and architecture, Des Moines’ Salisbury House & Gardens reflects a bygone gilded age. Celebrate that era anew at the Salisbury House Gilded Age fundraising gala Oct. 3. In the spirit of the mansion’s past Gatsby-themed events, the gala will feature an elegant six-course dinner. Formal attire is encouraged, of course. The event starts at 6 p.m., and tickets are $250 per person (or $1,800 for a table of eight); buy them here.
