The Masquer-AID the Café Ball at the New Deal Café on October 14 was the culminating Gala event of a months-long campaign that raised more than $25,000 for the New Deal Café’s music and arts program. The Masquer-AID Ball was attended by 100 people in a mix of costume and formal dress, wearing a vast array of decorative masks. The Ball featured the music of 49 Cent Dress featuring Liz Springer and Wild Anacostias. Guests enjoyed a full spread of hors d’oeuvres and a champagne toast. In between bands, members of the community shared what they love about the Café. That part of the program was a magical time of heartwarming stories as Gala guests described the many experiences that showed what a positive, and in some cases life-changing, effect the Café has had on the Greenbelt community over the last 28 years. It was a special evening, made all the more momentous as it was announced that the original fundraising goal of $10,000 was far exceeded and the final amount raised was over $25,000.
The fundraiser was announced at the August New Deal Café board meeting, when it was revealed that the New Deal Café music and arts program has not had any steady income since before the pandemic and that some grant proposals had been rejected. The reserves were getting low and something needed to happen.
The Gala planning team sprung into action, led by Katy Gaughan. Gaughan, Café Music Coordinator Caitlin Gompf, Michael Hartman, president of the board, and Charles Smith, who found an anonymous donor to cover the expenses of the project, started planning an event that would sell tickets and recruit sponsors to be part of a Wall of Fame Plaque that will be hung at the Café. Ticket sales and donations steadily climbed and in just a few weeks, by early October, the original goal of $10,000 was surpassed and the Masquer-AID Ball was sold out.
As of this writing, the fundraiser has raised $25,569.68. That comes from 49 sponsors ranging from $250 to $1,000, 57 tickets sold at $50 per ticket, 27 contributors who made smaller donations and art sales.
The art sales came from the auction of John Guernsey’s art, which was donated to the Café by Guernsey’s family after he died in 2019. The art is on display through the end of October and there are pieces still available for sale.
“This experience shows me how much the community values the Café’s music and arts program and wants to be a part of keeping it going,” said Gaughan.
The Wall of Fame Plaque will be unveiled at a follow-up reception in early 2024. Even after the event, the Café is still receiving contributions for sponsorships and smaller donations. To learn more about the Gala and our fundraising efforts, visit newdealcafe.com/cafeball.
“I’m bursting with gratitude for the community’s support for our first Masquer-AID, and we are so excited for further fundraising events like this in our future,” said Gompf.