Goodwill of Central & Northern Arizona hosted its annual fundraising gala, An Evening of Goodwill, presented by Red Mountain Group on Saturday, March 18, at Chateau Luxe.

Featuring opening remarks from Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, the event united 300 community supporters for a night of fashion and fundraising. More than $400,000 was raised to support Goodwill’s community impact initiatives to help people build pathways out of poverty.

“Today, one in eight Arizonans lives in poverty and can uniquely benefit from the no-cost social services Goodwill offers that can lift people from a minimum wage to a family-sustainable wage,” said Jackie Halleen, President of Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona, in a press release. “Goodwill is so much more than your friendly, neighborhood thrift – we are truly a social impact engine that meets Arizonans where they are, up-skills them, and helps them maximize lifetime earnings.”

Guests enjoyed a one-of-a-kind fashion show and curated Goodwill boutique during the night’s festivities. In partnership with Arizona’s FABRIC Tempe, a nonprofit fashion incubator that promotes sustainability, local designers showcased eco-friendly, up-cycled fashions re-imagined from items discovered at Goodwill stores across the state.

Two community members, Catrina Sanchez and Sonja Ristau, shared personal stories about how Goodwill has positively transformed their lives.

“Goodwill is leading the way to bring and implement vital social services that improve our city and our state – and is doing so with an eye towards equity. As the mayor of the fastest-growing city in the country, I am especially grateful for Goodwill’s far-reaching work to confront Arizona’s most urgent challenges head-on and provide no-cost career services to Phoenicians looking for their next opportunity,” Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said in a written statement.

The black-tie event attracted leading sponsors including Red Mountain Group, Benefits Commerce Group/Cigna, Greenberg Traurig, HonorHealth and In Business Magazine, Bank of America, DemandBright, Arizona Coyotes, and the Phoenix Suns.