The Peace Center’s 2020 Auction Gala will be held online as a virtual event this weekend, Oct. 23-25. This decision was reached out of concern for the health and safety of everyone during COVID-19.
“The health crisis, coupled with the very visible death of George Floyd and increasing violence and civil unrest, has brought the world face to face with the legacies of oppression and systemic racism in almost every community,” said Danny L. Thomas, executive director of The Peace Center. “The work that The Peace Center has been partnering with communities in for almost 40 years is being sought out now more than ever. Heartened by the global demand for justice and racial equity, The Peace Center has seen the strong impact a vital and united community can have and the theme ‘Celebrate Community’ was born.”
For the first time, an entertainment program is being offered as part of the Auction Gala. Those who register will have the opportunity to purchase a link to A Little Bit of Broadway, A Whole Lot of Heart, premiering Saturday, Oct. 24, at 7 p.m. This exclusive online performance features baritone vocalist Keith Spencer and his quintet, who created this show exclusively for the Auction Gala. Spencer will perform some of Broadway’s best, as well as excerpts from his one-man show Brothers on Broadway. He most recently performed the latter with the Capital Philharmonic of Trenton to more than 1,000 fans at the Patriots Theater at the War Memorial.
Spencer, a Philadelphia native, has performed locally at the Bristol Riverside Theatre and Parx Casino.
Over the past year, The Peace Center has provided resources and services to schools, agencies, organizations and government entities throughout Bucks County:
– Brought Racial Equity programming, training and workshops to more communities
– Brought Peace Education into elementary, middle and high schools, especially those with tight budgets
– Hosted Democracy Circles to spark necessary conversation and work toward understanding and change
– Offered teens and millennials a safe space to share social concerns and learn life skills and tools to become compassionate, empathetic individuals
– Facilitated, in partnership with the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office, dialogues with local police officers and their communities after watching the film Walking While Black: L.O.V.E. is the Answer
Businesses and individuals can help The Peace Center offer this and more programming by supporting the Auction Gala with a sponsorship, ad or donated item for the silent auction, or contribute through a monetary donation. Information about the event, including how to donate and sponsor, can be found at one.bipal.net/tpc2020auction. If you have additional questions, contact Llitovsky@thepeacecenter.org.
The Peace Center is located in Langhorne, and has a mission to educate, empower and support individuals and organizations in preventing violence, promoting peaceful resolution of conflict and fostering inclusive, equitable and safe communities locally, nationally and worldwide. Visit ThePeaceCenter.org for more information.
