Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo will perform at Gala 2017 to support safety, healing and justice for abused children in Collin County
FEBRUARY 10, 2017 — Plano, TX — The Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County’s (CACCC) Gala 2017 will be held on April 29 at Hyatt Regency Dallas and will feature a headline performance by Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo.
Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo are truly a rock-n-roll power house couple. Neil has been a professional musician, producer, arranger and songwriter for over four decades and changed the face of the pop charts throughout the 1980s with his collaborator, muse and wife, Pat Benatar. More than just an explosive steel bending guitar player, Giraldo’s innovative vision helped him create the signature Benatar sound, from its inception.
A four-time Grammy winner, Benatar is a classically trained mezzo-soprano. During the 1980s, Benatar had 19 Top 40 singles, including the Top 10 hits, “Hit Me With Your Best Shot”, “Love Is a Battlefield”, “We Belong”, “Shadows of the Night” and “Heartbreaker”. Her hits continue to be as unforgettable now as they were at the dawn of MTV, when Pat emerged, fighting and forging a path for other female rock stars around the world.
CACCC also announces our Gala 2017 Honorary Chairs, Stephanie & Gene South. Stephanie has been a member of the CACCC’s Board of Directors since 2000 and currently serves as the CACCC Board President. Gene and Stephanie have both been members of the Guardian Angel Society for nearly 20 years and proudly advocate for the children we serve within the community as volunteers and as donors. The thought of making a difference in the life of a child who has been through a traumatic event like abuse or neglect is the fuel that strengthens their loyal support.
“Our community is healthy and strong.” states Stephanie. “Ensuring that everyone that lives in our growing county knows we are here to serve them is critical. Gene & I encourage you to stand with us to ensure no child is left to face abuse or neglect alone in Collin County. Here we are celebrating 25 years of service – pausing to recognize all the great work that has been accomplished thus far – what a proud moment! But, we must press on and we need the support of this great community so we can ensure that the Center can continue to offer FREE services to 100% of the children and families that come through the Center doors.”
Returning to Gala this year is the exciting Lexus car raffle proudly presented by DFW Lexus Dealers. DFW Lexus Dealers will donate a 2017 Lexus RC for the raffle with the winner to be selected at Gala 2017 on April 29th. Raffle tickets cost $50 each, and just 2,500 tickets will be sold.
Gala sponsorships are now available starting at $3,000, and individual tickets are $275. To purchase your Gala sponsorships or tickets, visit caccollincounty.org/gala.
“As I sit back and look over the past 25 years for the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County, I am in awe,” CACCC CEO Lynne McLean said. “More than 60,000 children and their families have found refuge within our walls. They have found safety from the most horrific of circumstances as well as a lifetime of healing. And so much of this has been made possible through funds raised at our annual Gala. Through this event, nearly $650,000 is generated every year to ensure that every abused or neglected child has the opportunity for life changing services. Your generosity is overwhelming and your commitment to these children is inspiring.”
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