Nearly six decades of service, one unforgettable evening! Reach and MKHC host a gala that celebrates the threads binding a community.
Some galas are gatherings. This one is a homecoming. On the evening of May 16th, 2026 two of Montgomery County's most enduring service organizations, Community Reach and the Mansfield Kaseman Health Clinic, will open their doors, quite literally, to the community they have spent generations protecting.
The result is the inaugural Woven Together Gala: an elegant evening of cocktails, dinner, live music, and heartfelt storytelling, woven through with the singular purpose of raising critical funds for those who need it most.
Nearly 60 Years of Quiet Strength
Founded in 1967, Community Reach of Montgomery County has been a steadfast presence in the lives of tens of thousands of underserved residents, offering safety-net services that promote equity, dignity, and self-sufficiency across generations.
Its subsidiary, the Mansfield Kaseman Health Clinic, extends that care directly into the healthcare gap, providing primary medical services, preventative care, and patient navigation to uninsured County adults who would otherwise go without.
Together, they form not just a network of services, but a philosophy. That community is not a backdrop, but a living, interwoven fabric, where every thread matters.
A Gala Born of Connection
The decision to unite under a single gala rather than hold separate events reflects something deeper than logistical efficiency. It is a statement of belief, that the organizations' missions are inseparable, their communities overlapping, and their futures shared.
"Our Woven Together Gala celebrates our closely-knit network of services, individuals, and organizations working to empower our entire community," says Executive Director Sarah Basehart, who leads both Reach and MKHC. Her words carry the weight of someone who has seen, firsthand, how one act of generosity ripples outward, into a family stabilized, a health crisis averted, a life redirected.
The funds raised that evening will flow directly to both organizations, sustaining programs that cannot wait for perfect timing or ideal conditions.
"Our work began generations ago, and over time, we have woven in new pieces and new connections."
— Sarah Basehart, Executive Director, Reach & MKHC
Date: Saturday, May 16th, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM — 10:00 PM
Venue: Hilton Rockville, 1750 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852
Attire: Cocktail
Tickets & Sponsorship: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/reach-mkhcgala/event/sponsor/
Kelsey Nicole Nelson — A Storyteller for the Moment
This year's emcee needs no introduction in Montgomery County, though she has earned many beyond it. An award-winning sports journalist, entrepreneur, and communications specialist, Kelsey Nicole Nelson brings to the podium a rare gift: the ability to hold a room and make every person in it feel seen. A County native whose career has taken her across sports media and beyond, Nelson's presence signals something intentional — that Reach and MKHC are expanding not only their reach, but their voice, investing in visibility that reflects the dynamism of the community they serve.
I. Cocktail Reception — A welcoming arrival, designed for genuine connection.
II. Three-Course Dinner — An elegantly plated, seated dining experience.
III. Live & Silent Auctions — Unique items and one-of-a-kind curated experiences.
IV. Music & Entertainment — An atmosphere carefully crafted to inspire and celebrate.
V. Personal Testimonials — Stories of transformation, told by those who lived them.
VI. Special Recognitions — Honoring those who have woven themselves into the cause.
Be Part of What's Woven Together
Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available now. Every seat filled is a thread strengthened.
Reserve your place: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/reach-mkhcgala/event/sponsor/
Reach is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to empowering the underserved in Montgomery County since 1967. For more information, visit www.cmrocks.org.
MKHC is a subsidiary of Reach providing quality, culturally appropriate primary care to uninsured County adults. For more information, visit www.cmrocks.org/mkhc.
Media Inquiries:
Courtney Proctor, Director of Development
cproctor@cmrocks.org | 301-637-0190