The Lakehills Community Center transformed into a Las Vegas-style entertainment venue last Saturday evening for its third annual Fundraising Gala.
The center was adorned with disco balls, strobes, and a blue tint, creating a glamorous atmosphere.
About 155 attendees from Bandera County, dressed in “Bandera formal” attire, enjoyed a five-star experience with a menu featuring homemade salad with dressings, chicken and sausage gumbo, fried catfish and shrimp and chocolate cake ala mode.
The event was catered by local youth, and guests were served by friendly, attentive waitstaff.
Barbara Engel, the Gala chairperson, praised the volunteer support that made the event a success.
“We were thrilled to get Gary the Showman back for a second year,” Engel said. “We added twenty seats due to high demand and packed the center to the last chair. Kudos to our great volunteers who prepared and cooked the special homemade menu over two days.”
Gary the Showman, a popular performer from Carnival Cruise, headlined the event. His performance included hits from Elvis, Frank Sinatra, and Jerry Lee Lewis, with the crowd dancing and singing along for two hours straight.
A Conga line kicked off the festivities, followed by continuous dancing to hits from the 1950s through the 1980s.
The event also featured the awarding of the Annual Lakehills Community Center Scholarships.
Mike Routh, president of the community center, announced that two scholarships were awarded this year to Bandera
- Volunteer Trish Dillenburg
High School seniors Izabel Kennady and Trevor Persyn.
Kennady will attend Northwest Vista College in San Antonio to become certified in dental hygiene, while Persyn plans to major in water management at UT Austin, focusing on Medina River and Medina Lake water challenges.
The gala aimed to raise funds for a much-needed remodel of the center’s kitchen, which serves various community events.
Engel highlighted the importance of the upgrade, stating, “We still need over $21,000 to modernize our kitchen’s electrical and equipment to handle future events. This gala brings us closer to that goal.”
Volunteer Trish Dillenburg, who coordinated the event planning, expressed her gratitude.
“It’s my pleasure to welcome our neighbors and supporters,” Dillenburg said. “I want everyone to know about the center and what we do here.”
For more information on the Lakehills Community Center or to volunteer, visit lakehillscommunitycenter. org or call (830) 460-0600.
