30th Anniversary Gala (SOLD OUT)

Join us as we celebrate 30 years of community, compassion, and service with an unforgettable evening in support of Basic Needs Inc. of South Washington County. Enjoy great food, lively entertainment, and a joyful celebration of the impact we’ve made together through our work. The night will feature inspiring stories, live music, Wine Wall, a Basket Silent Auction, a raffle, a photo booth, games, and more.

Gala Event Schedule

5:00 PM – Auction Opens

6:15 PM – Welcome & Opening Remarks
Board President, Whitney Harvey

6:20 PM – Dinner & Director’s Introduction
Executive Director, Opey Peñaloga
Served by River Oaks Staff

6:30 PM – Program Begins
Hosted by Princess Paula

7:00 PM – Awards & Recognitions
Development Manager, Antonio Franklin Jr.

7:30 PM – Auction Closes
Hosted by Princess Paula

7:55 PM – Closing Remarks
Presented by Opey Peñaloga & Antonio Franklin Jr.

8:00 PM – 8:30 PM – After-Hour Social

During Dinner – Necklace Games

Auction & Activities Guide

Download the Auction & Activities Guide here!

Featuring Host & Emcee, Princess Paula

With over 20 years of experience working alongside Chambers of Commerce, School Districts, non-profits, networking groups, and businesses of all sizes, Princess Paula, as she is professionally and affectionately known, is a keynote speaker who knows how to light up a room and inspire action. Paula has mastered the art of networking and digital marketing, making her an indispensable ally in the digital age. Her high-energy presentations blend humor, storytelling, and sharp insights that leave audiences feeling motivated and ready to
tackle their goals.

Born and raised in Ontario, Canada, this Italian Canadian brings a unique blend of professional insights and personal warmth to everything she does. A proud graduate of Lakehead University with degrees in Humanities and Education, Paula has made it her mission to help people harness tools like Generative AI, master the art of networking, and most recently: sharing the four practices of the FISH! philosophy with teams and organizations across the globe.

When Paula’s not on stage, she’s probably creating the perfect charcuterie board, tackling a home renovation project or playing piano and singing at special events. She’s the proud mom of three adult kids, a fabulous daughter-in-law, and the “Mrs.” to her husband’s “Santa” during the holiday season. Let’s not forget her two fury “co-workers”: rescue dogs Bentley & Cooper. Including Princess Paula in your event means more than just hiring a speaker – it’s creating a memorable event full of fun and valuable takeaways. Working with Princess Paula makes everyone feel like Royalty!

What to expect:

Host and Emcee, Princess Paula
Violinist, Shawn Vougeot
Basket Auctions
Inspiring Stories
Wine Wall
Games and prizes
Jewelry and Things Boutique
A Photo Booth

A decadent 3-course dinner will be served at your table by River Oaks staff. The meal options include:

Your choice of one of three meal options:
- Hanger Steak w/demi glaze, roasted root vegetables, and roasted red potatoes
- Grilled Salmon w/tomato chutney, roasted root vegetables, and wild rice pilaf
- Vegetarian Risotto w/roasted root vegetables and tomato sauce
All meal options will be served with the following:
- Dinner rolls and butter
- Spring salad w/mixed greens, tomato, cucumber, red onion, and goat cheese (on side),
  - Ranch and French Dressings options
Desserts by Dorothy Ann Bakery & Cafe

Thank you to our 2026 Gala Sponsors!

Thank you to our 2026 Gala Auction Supporters!

Thank you to our 2026 Gala Wine Wall Supporters!

About Basic Needs Inc. of South Washington County

Basic Needs is a non-profit organization established in 1996 to aid individuals and families in need within our community. Our first step was opening a community-based thrift store, where the general public donates their gently used goods for resale, which helps support programs to help the community and offers affordable shopping. From money earned at the Thrift Shop, Basic Needs created a voucher system so that individuals experiencing poverty can receive emergency access to needed supplies

In 2022, Basic Needs began providing barrier-free access to food in the community through stocked free food shelves. A team of volunteers and staff work together to ensure those in our community have what they need; when they need it. In 2023 we opened the Basic Needs Food Market, which offers barrier-free access to free food rescue from the community.

Our driving goal is to uplift those who have encountered hardship by providing barrier-free access to basic needs to build a stronger community focused on equity, inclusion, and sustainability. Programs include:

Nutritious and fresh food market
Food Rescue & Food Repacking Program
Affordable and high-quality thrift shop
Emergency Voucher Program & social services referral network

30th Anniversary Gala

A Celebration of Community, Compassion, and Service.