House of Mercy goes Hawaiian: The Williamsburg House of Mercy hosted its first gala on Sunday, June 9, at the Williamsburg Lodge. More than 200 people attended, many sporting Hawaiian shirts and tropical-themed dresses for the cocktail hour and dinner. The night included live music, silent and live auctions, and a wine pull fundraiser. The gala raised $80,000 in support of all areas of the Williamsburg House of Mercy’s mission: housing, outreach, food insecurity, and the HOPE Pregnancy Center. Liz Buckley, executive director, addressed the guests, thanking them for their support and challenging them to care for their neighbors. “It is an absolute privilege for us all to be advocates for the most vulnerable in our community,” she said.