The International Hospital for Children’s “Treasures in Paradise” fifth annual benefit on Nov. 13 raised more than $500,000 for the Richmond-based humanitarian organization. More than 400 guests enjoyed auctions, raffles, tropical food and foliage in a paradise setting inside the tented salon in front of Coplon’s clothing store.

Central Virginia’s Legal Information Network for Cancer held its fourth annual “It’s in the Bag” benefit auction Nov. 5 at the Westin Richmond hotel. About 250 guests purchased $25 tickets for the privilege of bidding on 150 one-of-a kind purses designed and/or donated by 90 local artists and philanthropists. “This event raises funds to support the many area cancer patients and their families who are helped by LINC’s staff, volunteer attorneys, financial planners and other professionals,“ said Cathy Strauss, LINC’s board president. “These dedicated individuals help solve the non-medical challenges arising from cancer, enabling our clients to focus on their treatment and health. We are very grateful to the artists and purse designers who contributed their work to the auction.“

WHAT’S HAPPENING Fashion, food and fun were the focus Oct. 15 when Saks Fifth Avenue at Stony Point Fashion Park closed to the public and opened its doors to ticket-holders for the kickoff to the 2009 Key to the Cure. The four-day national shopping campaign/fundraiser at all Saks stores supports women’s cancer research and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

The Science Museum of Virginia held its fourth annual Kugel Ball and after-party Oct. 9 to support educational science programs for youngsters in the Richmond area and throughout Virginia. This year’s black-and-white theme was inspired by Truman Capote’s celebrated black-and-white masked ball of 1966. Appropriately, most of the 275 guests were outfitted in glamorous black-and-white formal attire, and many donned dramatic masks of feathers, beads and satin.

In honor of its 25th anniversary, the Hospital Hospitality House of Richmond brought together four nationally acclaimed chefs and some of Richmond’s best chefs for SAVOR: A Delicious Way to Make a Difference, an epicurean event and benefit held Oct. 3 at SunTrust Bank. The 230 guests at the sold-out event were treated to auctions, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, a five-course dinner, wine and culinary demonstrations.

The State Fair of Virginia welcomed guests to its new site, the Meadow Event Park in Caroline County, at the Black Tie and Boots benefit gala Sept. 23. Award-winning Virginia wines, gourmet food, auctions, live music and dancing, the midway grand illumination and private access to games and rides pulled in more than 480 guests on the eve of the fair’s opening. Approximately $40,000 was raised from the event.

In celebration of the first year in its permanent home on North Hamilton Street, SPARC—the School of the Performing Arts in the Richmond Community—hosted its SPARCTACULAR 2009 on July 21. “This event was our official groundbreaking for the center’s renovation and an opportunity to showcase results of our arts-training programs,“ said Mary Ellen Stumpf, capital campaign manager.

WHAT’S HAPPENING What better thing to do than strut your mutt on Monument Avenue on a beautiful Saturday? During its May 30 block party between Allen and Lombardy streets, Richmond Animal League’s Woofstock gave plenty of folks the opportunity to do just that while raising funds for Richmond’s nonprofit, no-kill humane society. Established in 1979, the league’s mission is to be the leader in providing temporary housing for homeless animals until they can be adopted, medical care and sterilization.

A picture-perfect evening on the lawn of St. Joseph’s Villa, now in its 175th year, was the setting May 8 for the 15th annual Hoedown benefiting the Flagler Home. A yellow Model A Ford truck bedecked with sunflowers and hay bales marked the spot where 200 guests and donors gathered to enjoy friends, festive bluegrass music and a palate-pleasing barbecue.

With fluttering Union Jacks flying and a royal-red carpet, the American Heart Association and the Richmond Heart Society welcomed more than 600 guests to “Treasures of the Crown,“ its 17th annual Richmond Heart Ball and signature black-tie benefit. The event, held April 25 at the Science Museum of Virginia, had an Elizabethan England theme. Guests were transported back in time via pageantry, music and dances by costumed performers and members of the Richmond Renaissance Dancers.

WHAT’S HAPPENING The appearance of Richmond’s own “American Idol” Elliott Yamin once again highlighted the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Central Virginia Chapter’s Annual Gala, its ninth, held April 4 at The Jefferson Hotel. “Returning to pick up where I left off last year—making a difference in my hometown,“ Yamin said.

The junior board of Comfort Zone Camp, hosting more than 900 guests, held its 10th annual Grief Relief Gala March 28 at the Science Museum of Virginia. The effort provides summer camps for children grieving the loss of a parent, primary caregiver or sibling. “My children have been able to talk about their grief thanks to their experiences at Comfort Zone Camp. They meet other children who ‘get it,‘“ said Laura West, the gala’s lead sponsor in memory of her late husband, Tommy West, father of their four children.

WHAT’S HAPPENING Eager guests reliving their childhood scampered over, under and through the furniture-filled showroom of LaDifférence in Shockoe Slip in search of 200 hidden eggs for Easter Seals Virginia’s Eggstravaganza. The black-tie gala and fundraiser, the eighth annual Eggstravaganza, was held March 21. The eggs were created by children from the Easter Seals Virginia Project Success program and Lisa Schaffner served as the egg-hunt hostess.

WHAT’S HAPPENING Midlothian gala benefits renovation of playing fields With identical goals of rebuilding the children’s playing fields at Watkins Annex Park, Jim Williams of the Beth Williams Field of Dreams Foundation Inc. and Lisa Kopecko of the Village of Midlothian Volunteer Coalition combined their efforts for a joint fundraiser on March 14.

WHAT’S HAPPENING The Jepson Alumni Center at the University of Richmond was the setting Feb. 27 for the “Boilin’ Good Time” benefit for the International Rett Syndrome Foundation. An 18-wheeler that acted as a rolling billboard welcomed guests as they arrived. Once inside the center, the more than 250 participants were treated to an evening of cocktails and low-country fare. A raffle and silent and live auctions led by Benefit Auction Specialists of Manassas tempted and entertained throughout the evening.