Family Service Association of Redlands will be holding its 9^th annual Dinner in the Grove in a beautiful orange grove owned by Jack and Laura Dangermond, longtime supporters of Family Service. This year’s event will be held on Saturday, September 28 and promises to be a memorable occasion.  Organizers are excited about the new location which features a beautiful view and a unique dining experience among the orange trees.  The grove is located off Citrus Avenue in the Crafton area.

The pre-dinner reception and silent auction will be held at a lookout point on the property that offers an amazing view of the valley. This magical evening will once again bring old and new friends together under the stars to enjoy a leisurely dinner reminiscent of when the grove was a favorite place for friendly gatherings.

Guests are seated at a single, long dining table in the orange grove for dinner and there is hosted wine throughout the evening. The “Everything Redlands” silent auction has something for everyone and you will not want to miss it. Entertainment will be music by Squeakin’ Wheels, a band out of Claremont, CA that offers “a tour through the musical landscape of the past century” with a mixture of old and new, folk, country, blues, rock and gospel flavors. Wear comfortable party clothes and flat shoes.

Co-chair Char Burgess commented, “We’ve become known for our unique outdoor dinner and great buys at the Silent Auction.” Shelli Stockton and Char have co-chaired the event for Family Service since the very first dinner in 2004. Shelli notes that, “The dinner setting creates a wonderful sense of community, all the attendees seated at a single table reflects the community coming together to help those less fortunate in our area.”

Ellen Weisser, chairing this year’s silent auction, is excited about the range of items available. “Our board members and friends have generously given so many exciting, creative items including services, products, dinners, and fantastic local art.  New to the auction this year is an opportunity to fund goods and services that will go directly to Family Service clients.  Stan Weisser has agreed to gently and humorously persuade party goers to happily contribute “a hand up” to those folks in need from our community.

Diana McLaughlin, another longtime Family Service friend, benefactor, and recent honoree of FSA’s Alfred H. Smiley Award, has once again organized contributions of several original pieces of art. Some of these notable local artists include Tony Radcliffe, Dennis Hare, Joanna Mersereau, and Evelyn Ifft.

Among the things you can’t live without are themed dinners, antiques, autographed books, clothing and jewelry. One lucky bidder will be able to tour Garner Holt Productions.  Garner has built an award winning animatronics company that provides special effects for Disney, MGM, and Universal Studios. Producer Gay Blackstone will lead a tour of the Magic Castle “No one will be disappointed and everyone will find many things they simply can’t live without,” Ellen promises.

Sponsors this year include Esri, AdcocksAhernsDevlinsLLP, Beaver Medical Group, Century 21 – Lois Lauer Realty, Loma Linda University Medical Center, and Security Bank of California. Gerrards Market is, once again, graciously providing décor for the evening. This support is essential and greatly appreciated.

For more information about the dinner or sponsorship opportunities:  Jo Jones, 909 793-2673.

Date and time:  Saturday, September 28, 2013, 5:30 p.m.

Tickets are $115 per person (FSA is celebrating 115 years of service) or patron seating is $175 per person. Patron tickets include assigned seating and a commemorative gift.

About Family Service Association of Redlands

Family Service Association of Redlands has been serving low-income families from the communities of Redlands, Yucaipa, Mentone, Highland, Loma Linda, Bryn Mawr and Grand Terrace since 1898. Family Service’s comprehensive case management and educational programs return hundreds of local families to self-sufficiency each year.  Family Service is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that depends on income from donations and grants to provide food, shelter, clothing and “a hand up, not just a hand out” to nearly 6,000 people each year.