Chester County Bar Foundation Key Gala

By Michele Bernardo-Rudy, Esq.

This year, I am honored to serve as the President of the Chester County Bar Foundation. I am very proud of the work we do and funding we provide to area legal-related non-profits in Chester County. Each year, we hold a fundraiser to help support the mission of the Bar Foundation. On May 4, 2023, we held the 9th Annual Key Gala. As many of you are aware, the Key Gala was so named because the original Chester County Courthouse Key from 1724 was found during renovations of our building back in 2015. Currently, the Gala is the only fundraiser we do for the foundation.

This year’s Gala was held at the Downingtown Country Club. Upon entering the venue and walking down the staircase, we were met with an abundant charcuterie table. Our executive director, Greg Nardi, put together a great raffle “basket” containing all Star Wars-themed items in honor of May the Fourth! All proceeds from the raffle went to the Bar Foundation. We also sold raffle tickets again this year. Some of the prizes included gift certificates for golf and local restaurants, tickets to Longwood Gardens, a signed soccer jersey and the “grand prize” of the Big Jewelers necklace, graciously donated by Ron Gadol each year.

As we continued into the main ballroom area, there were features such as signature drinks sponsored by Gawthrop Greenwood – the Gawthropolitan, inspired by Cosmopolitan, and the Fizzy Gawthrop, inspired by whiskey fizz – hors d’hoeuvres, a carving station, amazing pasta dishes and desserts provided by Yori’s Bakery – one of my personal favorites! We had the music stylings of Greg Ralls, as he played his keyboard during the cocktail hour. He had such incredible range – from Elton John to the Cure! He was a fun addition to the evening!

The weather was beautiful, and the country club provided a lovely area outside for more of those Gawthrop-inspired libations. We started the evening with the silent auction on trips to Italy, Africa and Spain, golf outings and many other overnight trips at places like Omni Bedford and The Alexandrian Hotel.

Last year, the Chester County Bar Foundation gave out an amazing $192,000.00 to local nonprofits for their work in law related fields. This is thanks to the generosity of our members and sponsors. This year, we raised $49,899.00 for the bar foundation at the Gala. The funds raised through this fundraiser, and generous donations throughout the year, will help fund programs like Access to Justice, the Law Day scholarship, Chester County Crime Victims Center, Domestic Violence Center, and many more organizations.

Finally, I would like to thank our sponsors who, year after year, never fail to step up and support the Foundation. I would like to thank the Key Gala Committee for their hard work in putting this event together. I also want to thank the Bar Association staff for their hard work leading up to and during the Gala. We are grateful for you all!

Next year’s Key Gala will be in an exciting new venue. It will be held at the Brandywine Museum of Art on May 16, 2024. Save the date for this beautiful new location! I look forward to seeing everyone there. In the meantime, enjoy your summer!