Community Foundation of Fayette County’s Gala of Giving
Half of Seven Springs Mountain Resort is in Fayette County, which made it the perfect venue for the third annual Gala of Giving, Catalyst for Change to benefit the Community Foundation of Fayette County, Saturday night.
The foundation was celebrating its 25th anniversary and hoping to raise at least $200,000. The CFFC granted more than $1.2 million to nonprofits 2023.
Board member and auction chair Brandon Katzeff (with his wife, Rachel), talked about the history of CFFC, which was founded in 1999.
“This organization has greatly impacted the community with over 200 charitable funds and $25 million in assets,” said Katzeff.
“The CFFC was created to support the nonprofits from the county seat in Uniontown to Perryopolis, Farmington and others. ... It is a non-biased arm of giving including education, workforce development and economic development,” he noted.
Foundation Vice Chair Ron Gabriel agreed.
“There are multiple issues here, but the biggest in my mind is trying to lift up the less fortunate in the county, the people who need the help the most.
“The people at this event are willing to give back,” he said.
“This has been phenomenal because we have a great group of people who come together every year to support this event,” said Executive Director Renee Couser (with her husband, Charlie). “Our goal is to be able to make larger grants and this year was the first year we gave a $50,000 Catalyst of Change grant.”
Main Street Theater in Uniontown, represented by artistic director John Wagner-Malia (with his husband, Brennen), was presented with the $50,000 check.
Angela Braun ( with Evan) chaired the event and also is the CFFC board chair.
“We are excited about
partnering with the arts — Main Street Theater and Fayette County Cultural Trust — because they do a program called Encore, which is a high school musical showcase,” explained Braun. “It is a huge economic driver and that is what Fayette county needs.”
Just before dinner, Main Street Theater had a surprise flash mob performance of “Be Our Guest” from “Beauty and the Beast.”
Guests started the evening by making their way to the silent auction room where they could browse the items while enjoying drinks and appetizers. WTAE’s Mike Clark emceed the evening and Tony Quarrick acted as auctioneer.
After all the bidding and buying on the live and silent auctions, and dancing to the Kendall Brothers Band, there was an after party at the Matterhorn Lounge featuring a late-night snack buffet.
Supporting the CFFC were Ellen and Jeff Rossi, Jackie and Vic Fiano, Joyce and David Katzeff, Holly and Mark Fleischer, Michele Over, Connie Stambough and Amanda and Steve Barber.