HALO is hosting its annual Jefferson City art auction this March at the Capital Bluffs Event Center.
"Defying the Odds: A HALO Art Auction Benefiting Homeless Youth" will be held from 6:30-11 p.m. March 2.
HALO has been providing housing, healing and education to thousands of homeless and at-risk children around the world during its 18-year history. It has locations in the US, Mexico, India, Kenya and Uganda.
"This is our big fundraiser of the year for the HALO Foundation," said Nicole Gerken, HALO COO.
Organizers are expecting nearly 400 guests at the Jefferson City fundraiser event.
"It's a great opportunity where we're selling all different kinds of artwork, donated items from community members. We have wonderful celebrities that are involved too," Gerken said.
She added, "It's going to be a jam-packed night for sure with all kinds of fun things."
After a two-year hiatus from hosting this event in-person, HALO is excited to welcome people in for another social, in-person gathering.
"I think people are really excited to get back in person. We were able to do this event for two years virtually, so this is our first event back in person for the art auction," Gerken said. "It's just going to be nice to see people again in person."
Start planning your outfits now, as this event is cocktail attire.
This year's "HALO Star of the Year Award" will be awarded to Ziere Wade, a 19-year-old Jefferson City native with an inspiring story.
Gerken said, "He's a kid that we've been supporting for a couple of years now, so we have his special film premiere that we'll be sharing.
"His story is just really powerful. It's all about resilience. He just has the greatest energy and he's just a really bright light within the community, so we're excited to honor him."
Gerken added, "We'll have some different videos that we're sharing too, even one from Oprah Winfrey, which is really exciting. We'll have a special message to Ziere from her."
Other special video guest appearances will include Sophie Grace, Tamara Day, Mishay Petronelli, Chef Lisa Dahl and more throughout the night.
In addition to the video messages, they will also have video musical performances by Chapel Hart, Tigirlily Gold and Caitlyn Smith.
"We also have a band that's performing too at the end of the night, the Cherry Pistols," Gerken said.
Both a live and silent auction will be held during the event.
"We've got all different kinds of amazing auction item packages and trips and fun things that we'll have throughout the night that we're able to auction off to benefit HALO," Gerken said.
Guests who are not able to attend in person are encouraged to watch the Kansas City fundraiser event livestream for free on the HALO Youtube channel, @HALOEmpowersYouth, at 7 p.m. on Feb. 24.
To purchase tickets, go to haloworldwide.org
Julie Smith/News Tribune photo: HALO JC Boys Recreation Program Manager Darian Pruitt talked about how excited he is to be able to offer the young men who attend the facility to be able to use the equipment, play games and work on projects in the new rec facility. The mural about which Pruitt thinks the boys will be excited to see was created by Alex Eickhoff of Eye Cough Art.
Julie Smith/News Tribune photo: HALO founder Rebecca Welsh, right, couldn't help but smile as she shared with a reporter the joy that Ziere Wade brings to a room when he walks in.