Angels and devils, saints and sinners, holy or wicked, there’s a little bit of both in everyone, and pretty soon chaos will run free in the garden of good and evil.

Each year, the Westport Arts Center holds a gala in the month of May that exhibits an appreciation of selected unique artwork in the architecture and decor of the event itself. The 2015 theme for the gala is Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil and will be held on May 16 at the Vespa and National Hill Campus in Westport, CT near Bar Taco.

“The night is going to be amazing, with a southern themed garden party, the art center always has surprises at their galas that make the experience one of a kind and one that shouldn’t be missed,” Dale Najarian, a member on the board of directors at the arts center and on the gala committee raved.

But, in order for the event to occur, considerable preparations must occur. This past Sunday on the property of the old YMCA and at the Westport Public Library, children and their parents scampered through the cold with either angel or devil horns along with a piping cup of hot chocolate, thanks to the Westport Arts Center’s gala fundraising activities.

Abby Najarian ’18, daughter of Dale Najarian, elaborated on one program that she and her mother are particularly fond of called WAC Gives Back.

“They create workshops and bring them to Smilow Cancer Center, Homes for the Brace veterans home in Bridgeport and other populations,” said Najarian. “This program plus the education, visual arts, and music programs will all benefit from the money raised in the gala.”

This charitable event starts and ends with community service. Members of Westport’s chapter of National Charity League (NCL) volunteered to help sell the hot chocolate in grades varying from middle to high school years of age.

Jillian Gault ’18, who volunteered this weekend to sell hot chocolate, also has a mother on the board.

“My mom and I love art and are both apart of NCL so this event is one of our favorites. Fundraising this time of year is a great way for us to bond and serve our community,” Gault said.

The event was a great success in raising money for the infamous annual event. While also involving young philanthropists in the community, Westporters were rescued from another bitter winter day with a warm drink, that will in just a short few months be a payment forward to a summery and sunny community affair.