Planning is underway for one of the best events of the holiday season - the annual Junior League of Galveston County Gala. This year’s event will be held at the historic Grand Galvez. 

The theme “The Secret Garden” is inspired by the name of the book published around the time the League began. This year the League has actively involved their longest serving members, the Sustainers, in the Gala planning process. 

 “ We believe our future is rooted in our history - no garden puns intended,” says Danni Dunn, this year's Gala Chair. “With 98 years of League legacy on the island, we had a lot to work with.” 

This year’s honoree is Dotsy Matthews Balentine, a warm and wonderful sustaining member with a tireless devotion to philanthropy that reaches all across Galveston County. 

Featured this year at the Gala will be a harpist, aerial entertainers, a portrait artist, and music from local favorite Mambo Jazz Kings. 

 The donations for the popular annual auction are some of the most impressive donations the group has seen in years. This year one lucky winner will even go home from the Gala with an evening to see Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in New Orleans, including two tickets, dinner at Jacques-Imo's, and an Air bnb gift card - all donated by Tashia and Gary Seeba of Oral Surgery Associates. 

 With a strong focus on serving the women and children in Galveston County, the Junior League does what they need to help others through partnerships with local non-profits such as the Pregnancy Help Center, CASA, and the Galveston Food Bank, and through their direct scholarship program which provides financial aid to graduating girls in Galveston County. 

 The League also helps area schools each year through their Adopt-A-School programs, which provide thousands of volunteer hours and supplies to one mainland and one island school who need it most each year. 

 The Junior League of Galveston County is 100% volunteer operated, with no large overhead expenses, so all the money raised flows easily back into supporting the communities they serve. 

 A great way to get involved this season is to attend this year’s Gala. This black tie optional event will take place on December 16 at 6pm at the Grand Galvez Hotel.

 Tickets and sponsorships available range from $165 - $10,000, with dynamic options in between. Find out more details at www.galabid.com/JLGCSecretGarden.