Special to Tiger Media Network
Step into a world of mystery and glamour as we prepare for the inaugural “Masquerade on Main,” coming to downtown Hays on June 1. Join High Plains Mental Health Center Endowment Association for an evening of enchantment and revelry, all to support a cause that truly matters – advancing mental health services in rural Northwest Kansas.
The Masquerade on Main is set for 7 to 11 p.m. June 1 at The Strand Event Center, 1102 Main. Tickets are now available online at Eventbrite.com, or RSVP to james.gerstner@hpmh.com or call (785) 628-2871. Tickets include admission to a silent auction, delicious appetizers from Gella’s Diner & LB Brewing, and complimentary drink tickets. The theme is a masquerade ball – cocktail attire is suggested and opera masks are optional. Masks will be provided for attendees who choose to wear one.
And for those who choose to participate, there will be dancing! The event is held in honor of High Plains Mental Health Center’s 60th anniversary. Join us as we “dance through the decades,” starting with some of the biggest hits of the 1960s. The music will chronologically move through every decade through the 2020s, offering lots of familiar hits, spanning different musical genres and serving up plenty of nostalgia along the way.
“This inaugural event will honor the remarkable legacy of High Plains Mental Health Center, standing steadfast as a mental health care provider for six decades. Led by our mission to enhance community well-being, we invite you to join us for this exciting occasion,” said Craig Poe, Executive Director of High Plains Mental Health Center. “Join us for an opportunity to shape our collective journey towards improved mental health outcomes through your invaluable support.”
The masquerade ball theme was inspired by the mantra: “Behind every mask there is a face, and behind every face, there is a story.” This theme is reflective of how many still choose to hide their struggles due to uncertainty or stigma. Evidence shows 1 in 5 U.S. adults will experience a mental illness in any given year. On average, U.S. adults wait 11 years before seeking treatment for mental health or substance use challenges.
“This staggering reality underscores the urgent need for heightened awareness and support for mental health services,” Poe said. “We want our event to stand as a beacon, to bolster timely access to behavioral health services in Northwest Kansas. Will you help us alleviate needless suffering and foster a healthier, more resilient community?”
Guests will also have bidding rights to more than 60 silent auction items generously donated in support of mental health services. Bidders can expect to choose from a wide array of items, including electronics, furniture, jewelry, gift certificates, artwork, travel packages and much more.
A fun twist on a raffle game will also be available at the event. Guests for $20 can purchase a chance to win one of many great prizes – including a chance to win a large cash prize!
A photo pod will also be available, allowing guests to take as many photos as they want against a festive masquerade backdrop. Both the photo pod and the music services are provided by KZNC Party DJs.
All proceeds from the event will benefit the High Plains Mental Health Center Endowment Association, which supports charitable projects and seeks to advance behavioral health services in Northwest Kansas. The Endowment is currently focusing on supporting a medication assistance fund to provide financial assistance to clients who would otherwise struggle to afford needed psychiatric medications. The Endowment also has provided staff scholarships to help grow our clinical workforce and to ensure the future availability of mental health services in rural Kansas.
Tickets are on sale now and are $50 including sales taxes. Tickets can be purchased online at Eventbrite.com or directly by contacting Development Officer James Gerstner at (785) 628-2871 or by email at james.gerstner@hpmh.com.
The event is generously sponsored by: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas, United Healthcare Community Plan, Vyve Broadband, Commerce Bank, Conrade Insurance Group, Genoa Healthcare, Insurance Planning, Midwest Energy, and Werth Wealth Management.