12th Annual Charity Wreath Auction Set for 12/7 at Martinis Above Fourth | Table + Stage

Martinis Above Fourth | Table + Stage and The San Diego LGBT Community Center announce another evening of holiday fun and festivities, all in the name of raising funds for youth, with the 12th Annual Charity Wreath Auction on Monday, December 7 at Martinis Above Fourth in Hillcrest.

Last year's event broke the previous fundraising record as over $32,500 was raised to benefit homeless and underserved youth in San Diego.

Hosts and sponsors, including Martinis Above Fourth | Table + Stage and The San Diego LGBT Community Center, are hoping to break that record this year when the popular event returns on Monday, December 7. Last year's event included 42 unique wreaths that were created and donated by individuals and businesses including those from the offices of Toni Atkins, Speaker of the California State Assembly, San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, and District 3 Councilmember Todd Gloria.

Martinis Above Fourth | Table + Stage is located at 3940 Fourth Avenue, 2nd floor, San Diego, CA 92103. Wreath preview and registration begin at 6PM and the live auction starts at 7:30PM. There is a $10 suggested donation.

The real fun starts with the live auction featuring the MA4 Hot Wreath Boys on stage showcasing the beautiful creations donated to the event. All proceeds from the evening's festivities, which has become an institution in the community, benefit the Queen Eddie Conlon Youth Fund, founded by the Imperial Court and administered by the San Diego LGBT Center. The Fund, which benefits in-crisis youth, including those who have been turned away by their families and are in need of assistance and resources, provides scholarships, education-related expenses, housing, books, supplies, clothing, shoes and services.

In addition to raising funds from the wreath auction, the "Silent Giving" station, introduced with great success last year, will allow attendees an additional way to? donate funds via sponsorship of specific items and services. ?An opportunity drawing for great prizes donated by the community will also be a highlight of the evening.

The Queen Eddie Conlon Youth Fund was established in honor of LGBT community leader, Army veteran, columnist and entertainer Eddie Conlon. The Charity Wreath Auction began in 2004 by previous MA4 owners Dale Dubach, Chaz Weathers and John Osgood who were longtime friends of Queen Eddie. Current owners Jim Simpson and Doru Tifui have enthusiastically continued this event that has flourished and grown year after year. In 2004 the event raised $3,153 with just a handful of wreaths; almost $220,000 has now been raised in the 11-year history of this event.

Center event coordinator Ian Johnson said, "This is a great event, filled with a lot of love. The energy of the night is spectacular and everyone is there to help our San Diego youth. Each person who works the event is a volunteer - from the check-in to the wreath boys to the emcees - there is a complete sense of community and the holiday spirit. I feel this event is exactly what everyone believes the holidays should be about. Even if an individual attends with no intention of purchasing a wreath, they still feel the love that radiates from the auction."

For more information and/or to donate a wreath for this spectacular event, visit events.thecentersd.org/wreathauction or www.martinisabovefourth.com/wreath.

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