Later this month, the Hermosa Beach Education Foundation will transform the city's local community center into a mock casino for a good cause.
Hearts of Hermosa raises much-needed funds for HBEF, a nonprofit organization that supports academic programs in Hermosa Beach schools.
“For the first time ever, we are introducing casino tables,” said HBEF President Jennifer Bucksbaum. “So the theme for this year's event is Monte Carlo. We've been wanting to do this for years.”
Bucksbaum said there will be craps, roulette and blackjack tables where attendees can “gamble” with Monopoly money.
“At the end of the night, they cash in their chips for raffle tickets,” Bucksbaum said. “There will be some great prizes up for grabs. We're still trying to determine what exactly that grand prize will be.”
Hearts of Hermosa will be held at the Hermosa Beach Community Center, 710 Pier Avenue, on Saturday, March 23rd from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM. The event will feature card and dice tables, as well as dinner and drinks from local vendors, a DJ and dancing. , various auctions to raise funds for HBEF.
Hearts of Hermosa raised an average of more than $330,000 annually from 2013 to 2023, excluding virtual fundraisers held in 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Bucksbaum said that figure is a combination of sponsorship and event revenue.
“Hearts of Hermosa is a signature event for our school community,” Hermosa Beach City School District Superintendent Jason Johnson said in an email. What does it mean to be a member of the Hermosa School? ”
Due to the casino theme, event organizers encourage guests to use James Bond movies as inspiration for their outfits, or to wear cocktail or formal attire in general.
There are two types of ticket packages.
The basic package, titled “Secret Agent,” costs $200 and includes food, dancing and other event activities.
The second package is “007,” priced at $250 and includes an afterparty at Fox & Farrow, 1332 Hermosa Avenue. The afterparty begins at 11pm and includes one house cocktail. As of Wednesday, March 13th, there are only a few “007” tickets left.
The online auction begins on Monday, March 18th and will run until Saturday, March 23rd.
As part of the silent auction, student work will be on display through the Young at Art program. A preview of the Young at Auction artwork will be held on Friday, March 22nd at the Resin Gallery in Hermosa Beach.
To register for the auction and learn more about the event, visit hbef.org.