• Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The 17th annual gala themed "Passport to a Cure – Spain" will be from 6 to 10 p.m. April 13 at the Sheraton Grand Hotel, 1230 J St. In the honoree spotlight will be Rob Lynch, president and CEO of VSP Global, who will be honored for his efforts on behalf of children and others with type 1 diabetes. The gala will acknowledge more than a decade of VSP employee contributions of volunteer time and the raising of more than $500,000 to benefit JDRF. Rob Stewart of KVIE's "Rob on the Road" will be emcee. The gala includes formal dinner, wine tasting, music and a live auction. One special addition is the Fund a Cure portion of the program offering guests an opportunity to fund research grants going directly to diabetes research. A single ticket for the gala is $195; sponsorships are available. Call (916) 920-0790 or email special events manager Claighton Byrn at cbyrn@jdrf.org.

• EMQ Families First. The Capital City Caper, a sophisticated upscale scavenger hunt, will be from 2 to 8 p.m. April 21 with the California Automobile Museum at 2200 Front St. as the start-finish site. For the sixth annual caper, friends, family and colleagues are encouraged to form teams of eight to travel via limo throughout the Sacramento area solving the riddles and clues to get to the next secret site. Teams are encouraged to dress in costume. Limo team levels are $5,000, $2,500 and $1,250; prizes will be awarded to the top teams at each level. The 2013 chairwoman is Mona Graham. Proceeds will benefit EMG and its support programs, including the Yolo Crisis Nursery, a child abuse prevention program; Family Finding, which helps to reconnect foster children and youths with safe, healthy families to speed recovery from emotional trauma; and the Emancipation Support Fund, which provides scholarships to youths "aging out" of foster care to assist with expenses as they transition to adulthood. Go to www.capcitycaper.org, email rdonadson@helpkids.org or call (916) 747-3122.

• Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Jim Tunney, known as the dean of NFL referees, will be the featured speaker at the Sacramento District Council's seventh annual Benefit for the Poor dinner April 18 at the Red Lion Hotel-Woodlake. Tunney, a lifelong Catholic, has served as an NFL referee for 31 years, officiating at three Super Bowls, 10 NFC/AFC championship games, six Pro Bowls and 25 Monday night games. He received his doctorate in education from the University of Southern California and is founder of the Jim Tunney Youth Education Foundation to support community programs that develop leadership, work skills, wellness and self-esteem in youths. The dinner is $150 per person; call (916) 715-8666, (916) 487-6160 or the society at (916) 972-1212.

• Camellia Symphony Orchestra. "Fashion with a Musical Flair!" will be presented at 11 a.m. Sunday at 5619 H St. In addition to fashions from Katia's Collections, the event will include a champagne brunch with quiche, fruit kebobs, couscous salad, scones and desserts. Orchestra members will be among the models. The event is $35 per person; call (916) 929-6655 (seating is limited).

• Wind Youth Services. The LiLu Handbag Project, which is organized and presented by students from McClatchy, Mira Loma and Kennedy high schools, will be from 1 to 3 p.m. April 13 at the Wind Youth Center, 701 Dixieanne Ave., Sacramento. Featured will be handbags and other accessories created by the student members of LiLu, which was organized in 2000 and was named for its founders, Libby and Lucy. LiLu has raised more than $55,000 for the Wind Center, which provides outreach, social services and emergency shelter for homeless youths 12-21. Tickets for the Handbag Project are $10 adults, $5 students; contact Briana McGee at BrianaM@windyouth.org.

• Family Promise of Sacramento. The eighth annual Celebration dinner will be April 19 at the Red Lion Woodlake Hotel, 500 Leisure Lane. No-host bar will open at 6 p.m., with dinner at 6:30 p.m. The success of Family Promise during the last year will be celebrated: In 2012, Family Promise helped 21 families break the cycle of homelessness. Tickets are $50 adult, $30 child; net proceeds further the work of Family Promise. Contact Deborah Barrell at debarrel@earthlink.net or (916) 852-8188.

• A beneficiary foursome. Lucca Restaurant will celebrate its 10-year anniversary with a series of dinners each benefiting a different nonprofit. Dates and beneficiaries will be Thursday, the Verge Center for the Arts; Monday, Mustard Seed Spin; April 17, Sacramento Children's Home; and April 24, Farm-to-Fork. Each dinner will have seating for 60 and will include entertainment, silent auction and Lucca specialties. For details, visit www.luccaroxyevents.com.

• Sierra Pacific Great Pyrenees Club Rescue. A "Doggone Good Fun Day in the Park" will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Rusch Park, 7801 Auburn Blvd., Citrus Heights. The day will include classes, low-cost shots; heartworm and microchip clinic, and a doggie beauty contest. Call Pam Tobin at (916) 791-7580 or email petpyrs@surewest.net.. Proceeds will benefit rescue work by the Pyrenees Club.

Gloria Glyer focuses on events raising funds for charity. Email announcements four weeks in advance to gglyer@sbbmail.com or mail to Gloria Glyer, The Bee, P.O. Box 15779, Sacramento, CA 95852 or call (916) 556-5619.

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