Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) School of Medicine first-year students will host the 19th Annual Lubbock City Lights Charity Gala and Casino Night at 6:30 p.m. April 23 at the Lubbock Civic Center, 1501 Mac Davis Lane.

The Class of 2019’s 1920s-themed Speakeasy Soirée will include a cocktail hour, silent and live auctions, live music from a Texas Tech University jazz ensemble and an elegant plated dinner. Afterwards, Casino Night will commence with dancing and casino-style games. Executive co-chairs for the event are first-year medical students Andy West and Quynh Pham. West said this year’s Speakeasy Soirée offers fun for the community with a great cause.

“Our 1920s theme is a great way for us to create an elegant yet lively atmosphere for guests of all ages,” West said. “Our class is ready to partner with the Lubbock community, make a difference for worthy charities, and have fun doing it too. We’re especially excited to see our community members come out for our new Casino Night following the Charity Gala.”

Lubbock City Lights’ new addition this year is the Casino Night, which will include an evening of games including blackjack, Texas Hold 'Em, roulette and craps. There is no money exchange and no value associated with the tokens used to play. Players are encouraged to donate in exchange for tokens. Tokens are then exchanged for tickets, which may be put into drawings for various prizes. Prizes awarded are not equivalent to the amount donated.

Pham said the students take pride in getting involved in a community event.

“It’s a privilege to contribute to this community by supporting deserving charities that provide services for Lubbock,” Pham said. “This gala is a tradition for medical

students. More than $350,000 has been raised in the past 18 years through Lubbock City Lights, and we are looking forward to add big numbers to this.”

All proceeds from the 2016 event will be awarded to four local non-profits. This year’s charities include:

● The TTUHSC Free Clinic at Lubbock Impact is a student-run initiative that offers medical services, health education and social resource counseling to the uninsured community of Lubbock every Wednesday evening from 6 to 9 p.m.

● The Boys and Girls Club of Lubbock meets the needs of Lubbock youth by providing a safe, positive place for recreation and learning. The Boys and Girls Club of Lubbock has grown in membership and touched the lives of over 4,000 youth through its four service locations.

● High Point Village is an organization developed for the purpose of providing an enrichment facility and residential living community for individuals with special needs. Their mission is to create a village where individuals with intellectual disabilities can live, learn, work, worship and achieve their full potential through a variety of vocational, educational, social and motivational programs and activities.

● The Children’s Advocacy Center of the South Plains (CACSP) brings together community resources to speed the healing of child victims of abuse and trauma. CACSP improves the lives of abused children and coordinates the investigation and prosecution of severe child abuse cases in Lubbock County and 14 other South Plains counties.

Tickets for Lubbock City Lights are available online. Community members are encouraged to buy tickets for the Charity Gala and Casino Night for $75 or Casino Night only for $60. Reserved seating for a table of 8 at the event can be purchased for $1,200. If community members are unable to attend, donations are accepted.