Bong Center Gala 2024 November 14th, 2024

PURCHASE GALA ENTRY HERE

Salute to Heroes, our gala fundraising event this year, will be a fantastic evening, located at The Garden Canal Park, beginning at 5:30 on November 14th.
Both sets of doors will be open for our cocktail-style party check-in in with a free coat check available from both doors.

You’ll be immediately delighted by a wide selection of chef-curated hors d’oeuvres from our elegant serving stations and hand-passed by our attentive staff throughout the evening.
Enjoy a selection of fine wines graciously poured by Keyport Liquor until the program begins, or select a beverage from the well-stocked bar.

Get your competition going with our raffles and games (bring cash for these!)
Don’t forget the incredible Live Auction and Chairman’s Challenge during the program portion of the evening!

We will transition our evening at 7:00 PM to begin our program by 7:15 PM
Our Legacy Honoree for 2024 is Brigadier General Raymond Klosowski, USAF, NG (RET)

You must be on the list before November 14th!
Secure your place on our guest list— in person at our Bong Center guest services desk or online through us or Eventbrite .

There is no physical ticket, once you purchase entry, you’re on our list, and you check in by the doors on arrival (if you’re worried, you’ll have your receipt.)

Have fun with this year’s Live Auction, details are below:
• Ready for Some Football? Go, Pack, Go! • It’s beautiful Pure Gold 1932 St. Gaudian Coin • Rare experience A Night at the Museum • Gorgeous CONDO IN COLORADO • Golf Wisconsin! All Fore 2025 • Wine & Dine • Sips & Serenity: A Taste of Tuscany • The most relaxing Minnesuing Acres • Yummies in your tummies Love Creamery Full-Service Ice Cream Cart Package

2024 LIVE AUCTION ITEMS

Love Creamery Full-Service Ice Cream Cart Package
Make your next event truly unforgettable with Love Creamery’s delicious, small-batch ice cream! Their charming little ice cream cart will be the highlight of your event, delighting up to 100 guests with rich, creamy scoops in six flavors of your choice. Love Creamery’s ice cream is crafted with quality ingredients and loads of flavor, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

100 people
3 hours of staff scooping by one of our scooper pros
6 flavors of your choice of ice cream
bowls, spoons
delivery, set-up and breakdown

All are served from Love Creamery’s cute little ice cream cart.
NOTE: This is for a date during May-September 2025 and some dates are already blacked out. You will work with Love Creamery to secure a date.

Value is $1500
Donated by Nicole Wilde

Minnesuing Acres
A Wisconsin Island Retreat on Minnesuing Lake! This 4-Bedroom, 4-bath cottage home is located in the center of beautiful Lake Minnesuing. Guests access the island retreat by pontoon boat during the summer season or by snowmobiles during the winter months. The unique location and beautiful surroundings create the perfect place for adventurers!
This retreat features:

3-Day / 2-Night Stay
Each room features a private bathroom with shower! 4 rooms & 4 private baths (great for couples traveling together!)
2 King Bedrooms, 2 with 2 x Twin Beds, 2 lofts with 2 x Twin Beds
All deluxe amenities including internet, satellite TV and natural fireplace
Reservations made no more than 60 days in advance
Additional nights may be purchased for $500+taxes
Subject to availability

No pets allowed. Stay is for Island house use only, Lodge amenities are excluded from this package

Donated by Minnesuing Acres/Todd Campbell

Value = $2,000

Wine & Dine • Sips & Serenity: A Taste of Tuscany
Transport yourself to the heart of Italy with this luxurious staycation experience! Enjoy gourmet dining, lovely wine, and cozy accommodations that bring the charm of a Tuscan vineyard to your getaway close to home. Perfect for a romantic retreat or a relaxing escape—no passport required!
This delicious package includes:

Tuscan-themed 3-course dinner at Bellisio’s Italian Restaurant – the perfect Italian setting accompanied by a bottle of specialty selected Italian wine.
1-night stay at the Lift Bridge Lodge, just steps away from your Italian Dinner destination.
12 bottles of Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon wine valued at $50/bottle– to reserve or enjoy on your staycation!
Dinner & Stay subject to availability. Reservations are required.
All 12 bottles of wine are available for you to take home tonight!

Donated by Bellisio’s Italian Restaurant, The Lift Bridge Lodge & Saratoga Liquors

Value = $1,550

All Fore 2025
Whether you’re here to nail the perfect putt or enjoy a relaxing cruise on the golf cart, this Northern Wisconsin golf package is a winner! Perfect for golfers and anyone who loves a day out on the greens.
This package includes:

$500 Gift Cards to Hog Wild BBQ & Smokehouse in Solon Springs, WI
1 18-hole round for 4 with carts at Norwood Golf Course + 1 9-hole round for 2 with carts
2 18-hole rounds for 4 with carts at Nemadji Golf Course
3 9-hole rounds for 4 with carts at Botten’s Green Acres Golf Course
2 18-hole rounds for 4 at Hidden Greens Golf Course (cart extra)

Donated by Mediqwest Insurance Services, Botten’s Golf Course, Hidden Greens North, Nemadji Golf Course, Norwood Golf Course & Hog Wild BBQ & Smokehouse

Value = $1,670

CONDO IN COLORADO
One week stay at Mountainside at SilverCreek Condominiums on the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park in Granby, Colorado! Pack up your friends and head out for a gorgeous stretch of time on the slopes of Ski Granby Ranch.
Package Details:

Saturday – Saturday reservation in a 2-bedroom timeshare
2-bedroom unit includes a queen sofa sleeper + twin sofa sleeper means you can accommodate up to 7 guests
Fully equipped kitchen, fresh bed linens and towels as well as fireplace and private hot tub.
Subject to availability from January 1^st, 2025 – December 31^st, 2025. Plan in advance – open to available dates!
Complimenting this stay are 4 complimentary passes to Wings Over the Rockies Museum in nearby Denver. In this museum you’ll experience aviation exhibits, including an X-Wing and B-52 aircraft.

Donated by Kraus Anderson

Value = $1,900

A Night at the Museum
Host your own unforgettable VIP event at the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center! You pick, this is perfect for birthdays, corporate gatherings, or a night with history-loving friends, this exclusive experience offers you the museum all to yourselves.
The Night includes:

Private 4 hours in the museum
Cash bar services (wine, seltzers & beer available) with complimentary bartenders for the duration of the event
$1,500 in appetizers & snacks
Stationed tour guides throughout the museum
Subject to availability
Valid December 2024 – December 2025

Donated by the Richard I Bong Veterans Historical Center and charcuterie by Yes Cheese

Value = $2,500

Pure Gold 1932 St. Gaudian Coin

This St. Gaudian gold coin is a beautiful $20 Double Eagle. It is a 1932 coin that was minted just before FDR declared a Federal recall/ banned personal ownership of gold and took the US off of the gold standard. This coin is approximately 93%vof 24 kt gold with copper and manganese for hardness and stable wearability. This coin is uncirculated, and any flaws are caused by transport bag marks.
The collecting of US gold coinage is a preservation of history in addition to the dual-track financial investment of bullion and Numismatics.

Donated by John Bremer

This precious coin retails between $2750 – $2825

Go, Pack, Go!
Experience the unmatched energy of being in person at a Packers game at Lambeau Field! Indulge in Wisconsin’s finest team, feel the roar of the crowd as you cheer on the Green and Gold. This unforgettable trip is a memory maker, perfect for any true Packers fan!
4 tickets in the GREEN–Seating Package to any game during the 2025 season

Donated by David Podratz

Value = $1,200