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Comedienne Karen Williams will provide some big laughs at the HGLHC fundraiser “One Big Event.” Tickets are still available.

Fall is coming and with it comes cooler temperatures, falling leaves, shorter days and the Hartford Gay & Lesbian Health Collective’s One Big Event.  Now in its seventh year, the Health Collective is presenting our annual fundraiser that guarantees a terrific time for an outstanding organization.  Here is everything you need to know: One Big Event will be held on Saturday, November 14th from 6:00pm to midnight at the Hilton Hartford Hotel.  You’ll enjoy cocktails, dinner, silent and live auctions, host Michael Wilson, comedian Karen Williams and dancing with Shaded Soul Band.  Tickets are $100.  Check out our website www.onebigevent.org for all the details.

First started in 2003 to mark our twentieth anniversary, One Big Event or OBE as it is known to people in the know, is the premier LGBTQ event in Hartford.  And not just Hartford: people come from all over for an evening that is fun for everyone.  And did we mention that our straight friends always have a wonderful time too?  “The great thing about One Big Event is that it brings together a wonderful mix of people who initially may think that they have little in common.  But by the end of the evening, everyone is having such a good time it feels like you’re hanging out with old friends,” said Board President John McGarvey.  And each year, more and more folks hear about it and want to attend.  Last year, some people who waited too late had to be turned away.  Don’t let this happen to you…

This year’s One Big Event marks the conclusion of our 25th anniversary celebration.  Since 1983, the Hartford Gay & Lesbian Health Collective has provided quality medical and dental services delivered by concerned and knowledgeable caregivers.  Our services are always in demand even as Federal and State funding is decreased.  This makes the need for a successful fundraiser more vital then ever.  “I know that our friends will turnout on November 14th to support the important work that we do for the LGBTQ and HIV/AIDS communities,” said Executive Director, Linda Estabrook.  Celebrating 20 years as the leader of the Health Collective, she continued: “We are optimistic that the combined support of sponsors, advertisers, donors, ticket sales and auction revenue will bring in even more than the $70,000 that we raised last year.”  This is a significant target, but the organizers of this year’s OBE are determined!

Your involvement could be part of the success!  Want to organize a group of your friends to attend One Big Event?  You could be a Table Captain!  Do you have a vacation home, piece of art or service that you could donate for the auction?  Get in touch with us!  Would you like to be a sponsor or advertiser?  OBE will be the perfect showcase to promote your business!  This year, ING is our Biggest Sponsor and Citizens Bank and Van Horst General Contractors are our Really Really Big Sponsors.  Tickets for One Big Event are $100, $150 and $200(purchasers of tickets valued over $100 will be acknowledged in the program book).  For any questions you may have, please contact OBE coordinator, Dan Millett at (860)278-4163 x18 or email him at: danm@hglhc.org.