MADISON, Wis. — Nonprofit therapeutic respite center Gio’s Garden held its annual holiday party Friday night, bringing together both an in-person and virtual audience for a night of food, music and fun.
Gio’s Garden, founded 10 years ago by News 3 Now anchor Charlotte Deleste, provides therapeutic respite to families of those with special needs.
“We let parents take a break,” Hilary Berning, the president of the organization’s board, said. “Parents of special needs children can’t just get the babysitter down the street, so we give them a safe place to bring their children where they’re happy and play by their own rules.”
RELATED: Gio’s Garden marks 10 years
Friday night’s event, which is Gio’s Garden’s largest annual fundraiser, included a live show and silent auction to celebrate 10 years of the organization’s service to the community.
The ballroom galas that once served to raise money for the organization went away with the COVID-19 pandemic in favor of a virtual event. Now, Gio’s Garden’s fundraiser is held both in-person and online to reach an even bigger audience.
Money raised will help provide therapeutic respite to families of those with special needs in the Madison area, Berning said. As of 9:40 p.m., the event had raised $100,000 and counting.
To learn more about Gio’s Garden, click or tap here.
To see a list of events happening in your area or to submit an event, visit the Channel 3000/Madison Magazine Community Calendar here.
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