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THERE WILL BE FUN AND FANFARE AT TWO TEN’S ANNUAL GALA IN NEW YORK, PLUS A WHOLE LOT OF FUNDRAISING. DOLLAR SIGNS
Get ready for fanfare and fundraising at the 80th anniversary gala.
It’s all hands on deck for Two Ten’s 80th anniversary celebration.
On Wednesday, Dec. 4, the charitable foundation will host its annual industry-wide gala, this time held at the historic Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum on New York’s West Side.
Cliff Sifford, vice chairman and CEO of Shoe Carnival, is serving as the head of the 2019 fundraiser. He told FN, “It is truly an honor to do it and we are very excited about it. But I would be lying if I said we weren’t nervous. The entire industry is going to be looking at us and how we do, especially compared to all the great people who have done it in the past. So we have to give it everything we have.”
The gala kicks off at 6 p.m. with a VIP dinner that will highlight many of the organization’s accomplishments during the past year — as well as over the last eight decades. Meanwhile, ticketholders from all corners of the shoe business will be invited to party on the legendary aircraft carrier from 7 to 10 p.m. as part of a larger cocktail gathering.
Shoe Carnival’s senior director of creative and store experience, Todd Beurman, has been helping to plan the anniversary celebration. He noted that entertainment at the cocktail party will be provided by DJ Questlove of The Roots.
Additionally, the retailer will station four of its signature Spin & Win wheels around the ship to give guests a chance to score prizes big and small — though only if they pony up a donation, pointed out Beurman. Plus, Shoe Carnival is bringing in some of its most talented wheel operators to man the stations. “They’ll each have a microphone to get people excited about spinning the wheel, to donate and win a prize,” said Beurman.
The theme of this year’s event is “One Team, One Mission,” which emphasizes both the unifying character of Two Ten, as well as its lofty fundraising ambitions. The goal is to raise $4 million to support the nonprofit’s numerous services, including disaster relief, financial support and educational scholarships.
As of mid-November, the organization had reached three-quarters of its goal, though Sifford said a major push is under way to close the gap and efforts will continue at the gala.
“I’m pleased with where we are, but I would really like to say the goal is in. We’re not quite there yet,” he said.
The retail executive also noted that 2019 has been a particularly tough one for the shoe business, with the closures of major retailers and