On Saturday, October 26th, the third floor of Hacienda Business Park’s Hacienda Center was alive with lights, music and elegantly dressed guests, who were all gathered for the Pleasanton Soroptimist’s 1984 "Stepping Out for Freedom" charity event.

As it was disclosed earlier, the event was held as a fundraising effort to benefit both the Tri-Valley Community Fund and the Statue of Liberty Restoration Project, which will receive 20% of the evenings proceeds.

“Nearly $30,000 was raised, but we still don’t have the exact figure,” says Debra Strong, of the Soroptimists. A McIntosh Computer brought the highest bid, $2,000 in the voice auction, and the lowest bids brought $5 to $10 in the silent auction portion.

The attendees were presented with a lavish buffet dinner served with the best of several Livermore Valley wines. There was dancing to the Swing Syndicate Orchestra following dinner and the voice auction.

At midnight, the guests adjourned to the balcony of the third floor, with glasses of champagne in hand, to view an extraordinary fireworks display.

Stepping Out was an overwhelming success and the Soroptimists are already planning for next year’s event. “We will be meeting next week to discuss our plans,” says Strong. “Right now, all we know is that there will be an event, and it will be next October!”

To see a reproduction of the original article and edition of Pleasanton Pathways, visit: November 5, 1984 Pathways.