St. Patrick Gift Gala postponed one year

McCOOK, Neb. -- The hand-made wooden track for the mini horse race had been built for the St. Patrick GIFT Gala. The participants for the human horse race had been practicing for this weekend. And the hats for the Kentucky Derby-themed fund-raiser had been purchased.

But ultimately, organizers for St. Patrick’s G.I.F.T. Gala had to cancel the third annual event this weekend, postponing the fund-raiser for one year.

The next GIFT (Giving Investments For Tomorrow) Gala will be March 20, 2021, with the same theme as planned for this year: the Kentucky Derby. This means, the “Hippity Hop Human Horse Race” and “Mini Horse Race” games will have to wait a year, but they will be brought back. The needs of St. Patrick Elementary, which benefits from the fund-raiser, will not go away, so plans will stay in place for next year. All auction items which are not time sensitive will be held over until next March.

One part of the GIFT Gala will move forward as planned. Raffle tickets remain on sale with the drawing to be held as planned on Saturday, March 21. 2020. Sponsored by Red Willow Chemical & Fertilizer, the $10 tickets earn a chance for the $2,000 grand prize, plus 10 chances to win $100. To purchase a raffle ticket, contact the St. Patrick Rectory at 308-345-6734.

Cassie Spencer with the St. Patrick Development Office thanked the organization committee who put in a tremendous amount of work and time preparing for the gala.

“We’ll be patient and wait 365 days,” Spencer said. “It just gives the hippity-hop horse racers more time to practice.”

For more information about the GIFT Gala or the raffle tickets, visit the St. Pat’s website, stpatmccook.com