Volunteers Carol O'Brien (standing) and Bernadette Lancevich take a break at the raffle table at the GC AHRC Christmas luncheon. Garden City AHRC celebrates its gala 45 th annual Christmas luncheon on Tuesday, December 9 in the grand ballroom of the Garden City Hotel. A holiday tradition, the event is the most successful auxiliary fundraiser to aid children and adults with special needs.

This year the luncheon features a special dance program by Sasha and Ola, professional dancers of Ballroom Legacy, one of Long Island's premiere Latin and Ballroom dance studios. In a dazzling combination of color and movement their presentation is designed to exhilarate and entertain.

A top raffle prize is $1000 in cash. The Precious Gifts raffle includes: an overnight stay for two at the Garden City Hotel; Sunday brunch for two at the Garden City Hotel; golf lessons at the Garden City Country Club; dance classes at Ballroom Legacy; four cash prizes of $250 each. Also on the Precious Gifts raffle are Theme Baskets filled with gift certificates, gourmet foods, wine, gifts of beauty, holiday handcrafts, lunches, brunches, dinners, jewelry, accessories, works of art, gifts from friends of AHRC, and more.

The excitement begins at 10:30 a.m. in the Terrace Room with cocktails and boutique shopping. A select group of over twenty vendors will be present to offer an extensive array of unique holiday and personal gift items. A partial list includes, exquisite silk brocade jackets and shawls; fashion handbags; beautiful hand painted vases and glassware; costume jewelry; porcelain dolls; fresh cut personally designed fern arrangements by Kimberly Pauley of Bountiful Thymes; handcrafted photo albums; and children's books with author/illustrator Kathleen Bart present to personally sign your purchases. Luncheon follows at 12:30 p.m. in the grand ballroom.

Tickets are $85 (tax deductible). All proceeds go directly to benefit the individuals and families served by AHRC. The event is expected to be a sell-out so make your reservations early. For more information, call Pauline at (516) 742-5302.