Tickets still available for Valentine’s gala in Americus

AMERICUS — Tickets are still available for the gala the Green family of Americus is hosting that is meant to give the next generation opportunities while also honoring those who live to serve the community.

The Glitz and Glitter Red and White Valentine Gala is set for 8 p.m.-11:30 p.m. on Feb. 11 at the Rees Park Economic Development Center at 409 Elm Ave. in Americus. The formal-attire event will include cocktails, dinner and live entertainment from Karla Heath-Sands and The Fire and Ice Band.

For a $50 individual ticket, or $500 for a table, attendees will be contributing to the Bernice High-Green Scholarship Foundation. The event is being hosted by the children of Bernice High-Green, including Americus City Council member Shirley Green-Reese, Gregory Green, Jimmy Green and Bobbie Green-Williams.

Green-Reese said ticket sales leading up to the event have been below expectations so far, and that there will be a limited number of tickets sold at the door.

The event of the goal is to gain monetary support for a scholarship for high school students going into college that was recently set up in High-Green’s name. The family of educators was led to start the scholarship late last year after the effort their mother made to ensure her children got through school.

The criteria for the scholarship has not been completed yet, but it is expected to be announced soon. Family members have indicated they hope scholarship recipients choose a college in Southwest Georgia so the Green family can follow up on any financial needs that come up later.

Gala honorees will be three individuals from the public safety community: Americus Police Department Chief Mark Scott, Sumter County Sheriff Pete Smith and Georgia Southwestern State University Security Chief Michael Tracy.

Honor recipients were selected based largely on recent events involving the area’s law enforcement community, including the fatal shootings of Americus police officer Nicholas Smarr and Georgia Southwestern police officer Jody Smith during a response to a domestic disturbance call in December.

The scholarship’s namesake, who is now 96 years old, will likely attend the function, her daughter said. Tickets to the event can be purchased at PeoplesSouth Bank, First State Bank, Wells Fargo Bank and Citizens Bank.

Those unable to attend the gala can make a donation to the Bernice High-Green Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 6181, Americus, Ga., 31709. For more information, or to take advantage of the limited number of reserved tables, contact Green-Reese at (404) 216-4578.