MASHPEE – The Cape and Islands United Way held its Best Night of the Year fundraiser at the Willowbend Country Club in Mashpee on Sunday raising $185,000.
The Cape and Islands United Way supports human services for families on the Cape, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.
President and CEO Barbara Milligan said almost 30 percent of the support promised for the year comes from the event.
More than 350 people attended the gala which included a silent auction and a live auction.
The contributions will fund 48 programs at 39 local nonprofits on the Cape and the Islands.
Milligan spoke about the issues the organization addresses inclyuding the substance abuse epidemic.
“We have a very complex puzzle on our hands and substance abuse is only one piece,” she said. “We have an aging population, lack of affordable housing, seasonal employment – we have families that are in crisis and children who are paying the price.”
The master of ceremonies of the event was NBC News Chief Environmental Affairs Correspondent Anne Thompson.
The Cape and Islands United Way is a local, independent and professionally-managed nonprofit that is governed by a board of local business leaders, philanthropists and community volunteers that was established in 1960.