The San Diego Human Dignity Foundation (HDF) has done it again with their annual Springtime in the Park gala fundraiser. Jazz bands played and il Circo performers dazzled a crowd of over 500 as guests dined and bid on a variety of silent auction items to raise funds to cover operating costs of the grant making organization.

“We thought it was the best event yet,” Bill Beck, the chair of the HDF board, said. “We were really enthused with the energy, the décor, the food stations, the entertainment.”

According to Jay Hill, the executive director of HDF, this year they were able to keep costs lower while expanding the event and raising more money.

“I think that’s a good combination,” Hill said. “Even more important than the revenue side, I think we’re really excited about the fact that our expenses are going to end up being in the high 30 cents to the dollar — and any time you get under 40 cents that’s an ace.”

While the final numbers are still being tallied, Hill expects the event to bring in close to $95,000. In addition to the ticket price for the event, funds were raised through the silent auction, cash pledges from attendees, and, for those who wanted to show their support in a small fashion, light up magnetic buttons were sold for a minimum donation of $20 each to help meet the $20,000 challenge grant.

“I think any time you’re able to do an event in a kind of setting like that, that’s really entertainment oriented, it’s really great,” Hill added. “We’re continually working to make this a better event so we are open to any kind of feedback people want to give, and I hope they will feel free to e-mail me…. I think people had a really good time, and I think they liked the entertainment and the food and the fact that the speaking is kept to a minimal amount.”

The work isn’t over for Hill and HDF, as they are going to be working hard for the next few weeks gathering checks to meet the challenge grants, and Hill is still meeting with donors. To top it all off, a meeting is already scheduled for next month to begin planning for next year’s gala.

“I’m just inspired by all the volunteers and all the support that this organization is getting. It’s really going to help us move to the next level,” Hill said. “I had met a lot of people already, but it was wonderful to see so many people there and get so much support. I have been working every day since I got here and it’s really nice to know that people really support what we are doing here.”

Among the volunteers for this year’s event were 20 UCSD students from the LGBT Resource Office on campus.

For more information about the Human Dignity Foundation, or to make a donation, visit www.sdhdf.org. To contact Jay Hill with comments about the event, e-mail info@sdhdf.org.