Vail Valley Business Women celebrated the holidays with a wonderful evening of networking at its annual Holiday Soirée on Wednesday, December 14. Hosted at the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek, the event included appetizers, holiday cocktails, a silent auction, PowerTicket drawing, and a toy drive. While VVBW’s monthly events offer networking, professional development and social opportunities for local business women, the Soirée is a special evening to support the Vail Valley community.

The silent auction and PowerTicket supports VVBW’s college scholarship program, which began in 2012. VVBW annually awards college scholarships to female Eagle County high school graduates planning to attend two or four-year institutions in the field of business. One hundred percent of the group’s fundraising provides college scholarships, and in 2017, two local students each will receive $4,000 college scholarships.

“We calculate that VVBW raised approximately $5,000 at the Soirée, and more funds may follow” said VVBW President Lori Gleason. “We’re thrilled that we raised such a great amount in one evening.”

Attendees were asked to bring new, unwrapped toys for a holiday toy drive for the Bright Future Foundation, an Eagle County nonprofit organization empowering Eagle County families and individuals who are affected by domestic violence and sexual abuse. The toys are gifts for children served by Bright Future’s programs.

“We have families staying at our Freedom Ranch Safehouse and in transitional housing who are healing from violence,” said Bright Future Foundation Executive Director Sheri Mintz. “The toys help brighten the holidays for these children, and we are grateful for the support of VVBW members and guests.