For the past six years, Susanne Nuaimi and over thirty fellow citizens have come together to plan the annual Mayor’s Gala, an event that celebrates Fontana’s successes and raises money to invest back into the community.

While the evenings are filled with fun, laughter, fine food, live entertainment, a Silent Auction and the Annual State of the City Address, the impact of the gala is often remembered for the funds raised. Proceeds have been put towards programs and organizations that service Fontana residents.

"When Susanne and I first discussed such an event, we could not have imagined the level of success that it has enjoyed. From sponsors to participants alike, this event is a highlight for our community and it allows people to see what is possible in Fontana,” says Mayor Mark Nuaimi.

In the beginning, the proceeds from the Gala went towards cultural art and educational programs such as helping to fund a technology center at the Jack Bulik Teen Center. Thousands of dollars went into the new Cyber Center which is now the home of twenty new computers being used by students and parents for homework, résumé writing, and improving computer skills.

In 2006, the Mayor’s Gala committee decided that the monies raised would be donated to the Give Today Enrich Tomorrow grassroots capital campaign created to help offset construction costs and enhance programming at the new regional Lewis Library and Technology Center, located at 8437 Sierra Avenue. To date, the campaign has raised in excess of $15 million, nearly $200,000 of which came directly from the ticket sales and Silent Auctions at the Mayor’s Gala events.

“The Gala and all the effort that goes into raising the money,” says committee chair Susanne Nuaimi, “is another way for Mark and I to give back to the community.”

An Annual Event

The Mayor’s Gala and State of the City Address may only happen once a year, but aside from an occasional break for holidays or rest the Gala committee meets for about ten months.

Most of the members, to include the chair, have packed schedules at work and home but from the very first day they hit the ground running. In the end each member easily logs in hundreds of volunteer hours in planning for the event.

The galas are as large and as special to Fontana as a formal wedding or anniversary party to an immediate family. Each one is unique and each takes a lot of community partners to make the whole event fun and exciting for the participants. How does one group of people create something so spectacular with such incredible results and yet make it seem so effortless?

Over the period of one year everyone must agree upon a theme, the venue, entertainment, catering, number of seats, number of tickets, and the price of tickets. Quickly as the months pass and the big day nears more decisions and time must be dedicated to the Silent Auction, decorations, event publicity, ticket orders, and more. Delegation, teamwork, committee planning and a lot of communication are the keys to each year’s success.

“Being on the committee for the Mayor’s Gala is a fun experience,” says Jan Long, retired Fontana Unified School District secretary and six year committee member. “The group and caliber of people on the committee are so positive. I love working with Susanne and I really appreciate what Mark and the City Council are doing for the community.”

A Novel Production

This year, the Mayor’s Gala definitely surpassed all previous events and it shows in the hundreds of hours volunteers put into preparation.

On April 12, approximately 600 people met at the new regional Lewis Library and Technology Center, 8437 Sierra Avenue for the premier event of the year.

Among the highlights that evening, participants enjoyed reading a mural in the Children’s reading area. On the mural were the names of Mayor’s Gala committee members whose hard work since 2006 has led to a library donation of nearly $200,000.

At dinnertime, Mayor Mark Nuaimi gave the State of the City Address followed by great desserts and further exploration of the library. To read the address or some of the details, please visit the City of Fontana at www.fontana.org/main/pr_releases/2008/soc_2008.htm.

Everyone… Take Five

At exactly 11:01 pm the 6th Annual Mayor’s Gala was officially over and after some wrap up, the committee members will take a much needed rest from their work and return to their already hectic lives. After two years of completely dedicating all proceeds from the Mayor’s Gala to the Lewis Library and Technology Center, will the committee members feel a sense of void when it is all over?

“I return each year for many reasons,” says Long. “I always feel like I am contributing to the community since each year we have a purpose.”

After the library opens, the gala committee will select a new cause for fundraising before the gala planning begins anew.

Lewis Library and Technology Center: Grand Opening

On Saturday, April 19, the regional Lewis Library and Technology Center, located at 8437 Sierra Avenue officially opened following a dedication ceremony on the grounds outside of the library. At 11:00 am the doors officially opened to thousands of wide eyes and big smiles.

The first 5,000 guests received treasure maps, prizes, and toured the library. Indoor and outdoor entertainment also pleased residents as they sat back in the chairs of the Steelworkers’ Auditorium and watched some examples of future live performances that will be offered.

The $65 million library includes an expanded collection that exceeds 100,000 items, including 7,850 reference, media and periodical items. Electronic databases, software, remote access to online informational resources and Internet access emphasize the “technology” in Technology Center. 200 public use computer work stations are offered throughout. Thanks in part to a $15,000 grant from AT&T, the library also contains 25 Spanish language computers. A literacy center, career center, and tutoring programs are available for adults and youth. Community meeting rooms and the Steelworkers’ Auditorium, a 330 seat auditorium, are available for meetings, lectures, and special presentations. The Bookmark Coffee Bar, as well as, 10 self-checkout stations and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Children’s Library all help make the library a destination for residents in the region.

To read about the library or the San Bernardino County Library network, please visit www.sbcounty.gov/library/home.