PACER

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Proceeds from the Annual Benefit support PACER’s programs for children with disabilities and PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center, which was founded in 2006 so that bullying is no longer considered an accepted childhood
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Supporters and donors came out by the hundreds to PACER Center’s 37th Annual Benefit, presented by Starkey Hearing Technologies, held this past weekend at the Minneapolis Convention Center, to support the work PACER does for families of children with disabilities and children who are bullied.

The nonprofit, tax-exempt organization gets over 95% of its annual revenue from donor contributions, and its annual benefit evening is a vital part of their overall fundraising, which this year featured The Beach Boys as musical guest – look for that event re-cap in a separate column.

The mission of PACER Center is to enhance the quality of life and expand opportunities for children, youth, and young adults with all disabilities and their families, so each person can reach his or her highest potential.

PACER, headquartered locally, serves families nationwide, as well as those in-state and operates on the principles of parents helping parents, supporting families, promoting a safe environment for all children, and working in collaboration with others.

Ahead of the evening program, the main ballroom was filled with thousands of silent auction items, from almost every category available including art, jewelry, beauty and wellness, electronics, and children’s items, to signed sports and celebrity memorabilia, vacations, culinary, and entertainment experiences, and much more. This year, mobile bidding was introduced via a smartphone app and the room also had several stations for those with questions or without an enabled phone to bid.

Music memorabilia included a signed photo and guitar from Meghan Trainor, Dave Koz tickets/signed CDs/meet and greet package, and numerous signed albums from The Beach Boys themselves, along with a large signed surfboard.

Guests also had the opportunity to purchase extravaganza mystery bags, wine pull, and raffle tickets- the latter to win a trip for two to Chicago for a VIP culinary experience including a 14-course tasting menu at one of the nation’s most highly regarded restaurants.

Chef/TV personality Andrew Zimmern returned as the evening program’s emcee with WCCO-TV anchor Frank Vascellaro once again returning as the live auctioneer for the most special and unique experiences. Some of which included VIP tickets to the Ellen show/Warner Brothers studio tour, preferred seats and meet and greets with all local sports teams, a tour of Jay Leno’s Garage in California, bottles of the fabled Opus One wine, and a Disney World private VIP tour experience, described in vivid detail by famed local movie producer Chris Moore, who was on hand to describe his recent touring alongside Matt Damon.

Tammy Pust and Melinda Jacobs introduced the evening with a short welcome speech and Talia Malka was given this year’s Otto Bremer Leadership Award for her own perseverance and the impact that PACER Center has had on her life.

Video presentations exemplifying PACER’s missions, the raffle drawing, and a ‘Count Us In’ auction, were all parts of the evening, before the concert would end the night on a high note.

With proceeds promoting anti-bullying and assisting children and young adults, including those with disabilities, the PACER Center’s 37th Annual Benefit remains one of our year’s most special nights to attend, and is worth any support one can give.

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