It might be fair to say that growth is the theme this year for The Seeds of Change Gala.  

The 21st Annual Royal Christmas edition is nearly sold out, with 500 tickets already purchased. 

The gala, named in homage to the agricultural community it serves, will take place Saturday, Oct. 10 from 6-10 p.m. at Harrah’s Ak–Chin Casino. 

“We wanted to plant seeds to grow healthy families in our city,” said Torri Anderson, board member of Against Abuse and chairperson for the Seeds of Change Gala. “And this year, we also have a next stage of growth we’re going to share.” 

Proceeds from the event benefit Against Abuse, a non-profit that has provided social services in Pinal County since 1981. 

Their crisis shelter has been running since 2005, providing housing for hundreds of victims of domestic and sexual violence.  

The inspiration behind the shelter came from a conversation between Anderson and her husband.  

When teaching at an elementary school, Anderson kept seeing a pattern of families that were in crisis. When her husband told her she couldn’t bring them all home with her, something clicked. 

“You’re right,” she said. “But I can build a home for them.” 

She approached the agency and the city about building a domestic violence center that would allow women and children to have a space place to go to that felt like a home. 

The annual fundraising gala takes care of operating expenses for the shelter and it’s a philanthropic way to knock out some early Christmas shopping. 

This includes a live auction of 20 dressed and donated Christmas trees. The event will also feature a silent auction and a raffle.  

“It gets better every year, and it’s driven out of passion for our community to be taken care of and have a bright future,” Anderson said.  

Tickets can be purchased on the gala’s website.