LA prize at black tie dinner and auction

Sharlene Rowling (left) and Jess Gordon at Mills Reef Winery. Photo/Andrew Warner

What began for Jessica Gordon as "an idea for a small gathering of family and friends to raise some money for a charity" has turned into a prestigious black tie auction event, now into its second successful year.

A Soiree Four Charity on October 17 at Mills Reef Winery is a black tie dinner event which will raise funds for four different charities - local charities Homes of Hope and Good Neighbour, and international charities Baby Watoto Uganda and a project in an Indonesian village called Manado, run by Tear Fund through Mosaic church at the Mount.

Celebrity Dominic Bowden has helped with a star prize for the evening by putting together a money-can't-buy experience in Los Angeles where he is based. This prize includes return flights to LA, accommodation, entertainment and a tour of LA through Dom's eyes - with the "you-never-know-who-you-might-meet" angle.

"Dom really wanted to be a part of the event here in Tauranga," says Gordon "but he's landed a great job in LA so was unable to be here, but we're completely stoked that he's being so supportive of our event and lending his time and name to the cause."

Flight Centre Devonport Rd has thrown in flights for the prize, and Blair Cashmore of The Block fame will be the auctioneer. Guest speakers at the dinner include Kerri Tilby-Price, Annah Stretton and Michelle Pratt.

Gordon, a Tauranga-based dental practitioner at Jennifer Corson Dental, has a passion for charity work and is convinced that every little bit we can do to help can make a difference. Her charitable heart began at a young age with her mother's guidance, teaching her that love and kindness brings happiness. "My life goal is to introduce other people to the concept of giving and how good it feels."

Jessica's first charity-inspired trip was to Cambodia to work with a Tauranga couple who run an organisation called The Princess Project. Ben and Cherie McGonagle packed up their family and moved to Cambodia to help change the lives of those less privileged.

Jessica ran a week-long dental clinic for The Princess Project. She has also volunteered this year at Baby Watoto Uganda and is heading back there again at the end of the year, before heading to Sri Lanka in February to volunteer at a dental clinic for a month.

Meeting Jessica, it is hard not be inspired and moved by her passion for what she does - she's a hard lady to say "no" to and has herself been very impressed by the level of commitment and excitement that the Soiree has generated.

She enlisted the help of her friend Sharlene Rowling, a mother of two who, together with her husband Jason, have Carmel Country Estate Retirement Village here in Tauranga. They have also been instrumental in the development of the Good Neighbour Trust in Tauranga.

The details
Tickets are available for sale through www.eventfinder.co.nz or by emailing Jessica and Sharlene directly on: soiree4charity@gmail.co.nz
Tickets are $140 a person or $1500 for a table of 12 ($125 a person).

Everyone who buys a ticket gets an entry to the Los Angeles prize. You are also able to purchase one of 100 extra tickets available at the event, says Gordon.
"Come to the table and make a difference."