Announcing ABCCM Transformation Celebration Gala & Auction, August 25, 2023 at The Rock Church, Asheville, live and livestream.
ABCCM invites the WNC community, churches, their members, and friends from around the world to join the celebration of restored and transformed lives at this year’s annual Transformation Celebration Gala and Auction, Friday, August 25, dinner at 6:30 pm, at The Rock Church – 273 Monte Vista Rd, Candler, NC 28715, or livestream auction 7:30
pm.
The ABCCM Gala & Auction will help support its seven ministries providing food, clothing, medical care (for the uninsured), job training and placement, transitional/permanent housing, hope, healing and a self-sustaining pathway to community for individuals and families in crisis, Veterans and their families, women with children experiencing homelessness.
ABCCM invites you to register, donate financially, be a sponsor, participate via livestream in the silent auction, and/or host a watch party with friends and family. You can participate in the Silent Auction online beginning the week before the Gala. Bidding opens August 18, will pause during the Gala and live auction, reopen, then concludes on August 25 at 10:30 pm. Silent Auction items are priced with the starting bid.
The goal is to raise the $250K needed to help fund the seven ABCCM Ministries (Crisis, Jail, Medical, Transformation Village, Veterans Restoration Quarters -VRQ, Recovery Living Ministry at Costello House, and Veterans Services of the Carolinas-VSC).
A highlight of this year’s Gala will be an introduction of the documentary “Servants of Smiles” about Dr. Perry Stamatiades, the man behind reopening the free dental clinic at ABCCM Medical Ministry. Dental services were discontinued in 2020 due to Covid, but are returning, thanks to the work of Dr. Stamatiades and donations from the community.
“I would love to see the spirit of the event spread through the community,” Dr. Stamatiades says. “I’m just so thankful that my coworkers are willing to come in on their day off and join me in giving back. As a doctor it’s my duty to serve others, but it’s also my choice, and my joy.” Rev. Scott Rogers, Executive Director of Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry (ABCCM), expressed his gratitude for Dr. Stamatiades’ commitment to the community. “Dr. Stamatiades really has always found a way to give back to this community, and we cannot thank him enough for doing that,” says Rev. Rogers. “Dr. Stamatiades’ enthusiasm and passion will inspire others to join in the collective effort to reopen the ABCCM dental clinic.” The closure of the ABCCM dental clinic marked a significant loss for the community, and a funding target of $80,000 has been set to facilitate its reopening. The funds will primarily go towards the purchase of a digital X-ray machine and start-up costs. “The goal is to have the clinic up and running by the fall, provided enough dentists and dental assistants are willing to recommence their volunteer service,” Rev. Rogers says.
Transformation Celebration Gala & Auction sponsors include AdventHealth (presenting sponsor) and Miller Cove Outpost. “AdventHealth is honored to continue our partnership and support of ABCCM as a sponsor of the Transformation Celebration” says Victoria Dunkle, AdventHealth Hendersonville. “As a faith-based, not-for-profit health organization, AdventHealth’s mission and commitment to meet the whole-care needs of people in our community aligns with all that ABCCM does every day. It is a privilege to work together with ABCCM to meet the community health needs for the people of Buncombe County. We are so excited to see the generosity and support of so many of our family, friends and neighbors
who are joining us for the Transformation Celebration.”
Miller Cove Outpost is participating as a corporate sponsor. Miller Cove Outpost founders Kimberly Hite and Ryan Brandt support ABCCM’s work. “We take great pride in advancing the mission of ABCCM through contributions that help support those in need in our area,” Kimberly says. The Silent Auction begins August 18 and concludes the evening of the Gala, August 25. The Gala & Auction will be a life changing evening with real life stories of individual struggles and triumphs. There will be matching grant opportunities, interactive bidding on live auction items, compelling stories of transformed lives, and the positive impact we can have during this time of increased need on homeless women, children, Veterans, families and individuals in crisis.
“We are praying that all our volunteers, church leaders and friends will join us for an inspiring evening,” says Rev. Rogers. “Every gift from will be an answer to prayers, not just ours, but for those 100 individuals and families who come to ABCCM every day asking for food, medicine, shelter, or HOPE. Will you help be that answer to prayer? Please join us where you will continue to change lives, each day and for life!”
The Gala dinner begins at 6:30. Beginning at 7:30, viewers can watch the auction and bid on items in a livestreamed event.
Register to bid in the auction here: https://e.givesmart.com/events/vXS/signUp/
Text ABCCM to 76278, visit https://www.abccm.org/gala-and-auction/, catch the
livestream at https://www.abccm.org/gala-and-auction/ or on ABCCM’s Facebook page.
Catch the livestream at https://www.abccm.org/gala-and-auction/ or on ABCCM’s
Facebook page.
