We’re at the last minute of ticket sales for the exciting Assist the Officers Heroes’ Gala on March 28th at this year’s new venue, the Ballroom at Bayou Place as well as the nearby Lancaster Hotel for the overnight stay.
“Go to the website and buy the few remaining tickets that are available,” event chair Gabriela Gregory said, while also urging everyone to also buy raffle tickets. You do not need to be present to win and the prizes are so incredible.
Visit one.bidpal.net/2020heroesgala for Gala and Raffle tickets.
Please go to this website to buy your last-minute tickets ($95 each and $190 per couple) as well as buy your raffle tickets ($5 each or five for $20). There will also be a silent auction at the Gala which will include sports memorabilia, jewelry, and travel experiences.
Gregory stressed the fact that “you don’t have to be present to win the raffle” because she wants everyone to feel included in the upcoming Gala, even if you cannot attend. “The night is about honoring heroes; as well as, celebrating the officers that makeup the Houston Police Department.”
Furthermore, she said, “The watches will be customized to the winner. There is space on the back of the watch for engraving, so these watches are a nice addition to anyone’s thin blue line collection.”
The high point of the Gala will be the recognition of the ATO Heroes of the year. The Patrol Officer of the Year is Officer Ashley Kelley of the South Gessner Division and the Investigator of the Year, Sgt. Jeremy Medina.
These two HPD heroes will take center stage, for this is always the time to recognize the unending spirit of being HPD’s brightest and best from the previous year of service.
The ATO Board chose these two heroes from the list of monthly honorees from the 2019 calendar year.
The program will include video accounts of the heroic deeds of each of these officers.
The Ballroom at Bayou Place, located at the old Albert Thomas Convention Center, 500 Texas Avenue, will accommodate the Gala’s largest crowd ever. “Everyone will love the spacious dance floor with more room than our past venue,” Gregory asserted.
“We have more space for more people to attend,” Gregory said. “We’re looking for about 500 guests this year. We had 400 from last year so we’re adding an additional 100. Last year there were people calling and asking for tickets right up until the last minute.
“We really had 450 – we squeezed them in. That’s why we’re going to a bigger place in 2020.”
Gregory was careful to stress, “The Assist the Officer’s 3rd Annual Heroes’ Gala will be more exciting and grander than the previous years, so be sure to visit ATO’s Facebook for sneak peaks!”
The Gala has become the ideal place for HPD and the supporters of Assist the Officer to dance, have fun and, especially, to honor the heroes of the Department.
Once again, popular radio DJ Dana Tyson of Sunny 99.1, the friend to numerous Houston police officers, will serve as emcee. However, the Gala will introduce a new band this year, Infinite Groove, “the ambassadors of fun,” will be tuned in as the dance band on a bigger-than-ever dance floor.
Co-chairing the event with Gregory is Sgt. Matt Williams. Both will be wheeling and dealing information about Assist the Officer and the services and fundraisers it provides to officers and their families in need throughout any given year.
Doors open at 5 p.m. Saturday the 28th. HPOU/ATO Photographer Gary Hicks will be available to take pictures of couples and groups – free of charge with a larger backdrop and new props!
The sit-down dinner will begin at 6 p.m. with the presentations of the heroes to promptly follow.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.