HUDSON – Registration opened Thursday for the third annual Steel Toes & Stilettos Gala. St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity’s focus of the event is to raise funds that will support a home build for a veteran.

The annual gala takes place Saturday, March 23 at Tattersall Distilling in River Falls and includes a special live auction and fundraising opportunity.

“Nearly 1.5 million veterans pay at least 50% of their income on housing,” SCVHFH Board President Gina Moe-Knutson said. “Almost half of female veterans are single moms spending more than 30% of their income on housing. And about a quarter of the 2.5 million veterans heading households are at least 55 years of age and have housing cost burdens. As we recognize the challenges veterans face, our goal is to build a home for a veteran/family to thank them for their service and help offset the unique costs they encounter as they settle back into civilian life.”

Special live auction items include a “Satisfaction Guaranteed” trip for two to Chicago to see the Rolling Stones perform, and a “Play Dates in the Playhouse” hand-crafted 8x8-foot playhouse built by Habitat’s “Tuesday Crew,” among other one-of-a-kind opportunities.

The event also includes its infamous Dessert Dash, a silent auction and raffle and dinner from Tattersall Distilling crafted especially for the event.

Gala sponsors include Andersen Windows & Doors, WESTconsin Credit Union, Krumm Exteriors, Steiner Plumbing Heating Electric, Inc., Kraus-Anderson, First National Bank River Falls, First State Bank & Trust, Metro East Commercial Real Estate, Valley Companies, Blooms for Happiness. Registration is online at scvhabitat.org/gala.

Submitted by St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity